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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS 
IN INDIANA 



WILLIAM WARREN SWEET 

Professor of History in DePauiv University.. 



W. K. STEWART CO., 
Indianapolis, 
1916. 



4$ 



Copyright, 1916 
BY WILLIAM W. SWEET 




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TO THE CIRCUIT RIDERS OF OLD 

Wlio contributed so largely to Indiana's Life; 
And to those who have entered into their labors. 



INTRODUCTION. 



If there ever is an appropriate time for the publica- 
tion of such a volume as this, it is the year 1916, which 
marks the 100th anniversary of Indiana's admission 
to the Union and it is hoped that this volume will, in a 
sense, be recognized as Indiana Methodism's contribu- 
tion to the historical literature of the centennial year. 
This book has been endorsed by the Indiana Confer- 
ences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and to a cer- 
tain degree they have made its publication possible, and 
for this reason I wish to express my gratitude to them, 
and especially to their Centennial Committees, for 
their encouragement, in its preparation. 

The Minutes of the old Indiana Conference, have 
never been published, and since they cover the impor- 
tant years, from 1832 to 1844, the years in which In- 
diana Asbury University was founded, and also the 
years in which Matthew Simpson and Edward R. Ames 
were active in its councils, it was thought that the 
centennial year was an appropriate time to give these 
Minutes to the Methodists of Indiana. Accordingly the 
second, and largest part of this volume is devoted to 
these Minutes. They have been edited with notes, 
which it is hoped will explain all things necessary for 
their intelligent reading by an Indiana Methodist. 

In editing the Minutes, I have been assisted by six 
of my students, at DePauw University, who constituted 
a Seminar in Early Indiana Methodist History, during 
the winter of 1915-1916. These students are E. J. 
Wickersham, Charles A. Kuttler, Fred D. Bacon, Miss 
Gladys Light, Roy C. Lockwood, and J. N. Simmons. 
Miss Ruth Price, a graduate student in the Depart- 



INTRODUCTION. 



ment of History, in 1914-1915, is largely responsible 
for the material used in Chapter II, Part 1, on "Indiana 
Methodism, 1816-1832." The maps have been drawn 
by Mr. H. G. Bailey and Mr. E. E. Aldrich. I grate- 
fully acknowledge their assistance, and take this op- 
portunity of commending their work. W. W. S. 
Greencastle, Indiana, December 15, 1915. 



CONTENTS. 

Introduction. 

PART L 

Chapter I. The Planting of Methodism in 

Indiana 1-29 

Chapter II. Indiana Methodism, 1816-1832 30-51 
Chapter III. The Old Indiana Conference, 

1832-1844 52-89 

PART II. 

I. Journal of the First Annual Session 
of the Indiana Conference, New Al- 
bany, Indiana, October, 1832 90-110 

II. Journal of the Second Annual Session 
of the Indiana Conference, Madison, 
Indiana, October, 1833 110-122 

III. Journal of the Third Annual Session 

of the Indiana Conference, Center- 

ville, Indiana, October, 1834 122-138 

IV. Journal of the Fourth Annual Session 

of the Indiana Conference, Lafay- 
ette, Indiana, October, 1835 138-153 

V. Journal of the Fifth Annual Session of 
the Indiana Conference, Indianapo- 
lis, Indiana, October, 1836 153-168 

VI. Journal of the Sixth Annual Session 
of the Indiana Conference, New Al- 
bany, Indiana, October, 1837 169-184 

VII. Journal of the Seventh Annual Session 
of the Indiana Conference, Rock- 

ville, Indiana, October, 1838 184-203 

VIII. Journal of the Eighth Annual Session 
of the Indiana Conference, Law- 
renceburg, Indiana, October, 1839__ 203-222 



CONTENTS 



IX. Journal of the Ninth Annual Session 
of the Indiana Conference, Indian- 
apolis, Indiana, October, 1840 222-243 

X. Journal of the Tenth Annual Session 
of the Indiana Conference, Terre 

Haute, Indiana, October, 1841 243-273 

XL Journal of the Eleventh Annual Ses- 
sion of the Indiana Conference, Cen- 

terville, Indiana, October, 1842 273-303 

XII. Journal of the Twelfth Annual Session 
of the Indiana Conference, Craw- 
fordsville, Indiana, October, 1843___ 303-333 
Bibliography 334-339 

Index. 



CIRCUIT RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA 



CHAPTER I. 

THE PLANTING OF METHODISM IN INDIANA. 

A STUDY of the genesis of Methodism in Indiana 
must begin with the coming of the first settlers, and 
the settlement of Indiana did not in any real sense 
begin until after the close of the Indian wars, which 
were terminated by General Anthony Wayne in his 
successful campaign of 1794. At the battle of Fallen 
Timbers, fought August 20, 1794, the Miami Indian 
Confederacy received its death blow, and the treaty 
of Greenville, signed the next year, opened up half 
of Ohio and a narrow strip of triangular shape in the 
southeast corner of what is now Indiana, to settle- 
ment. 1 This territory however was not the first to be 
settled in Indiana, for the old French town of Vin- 
cennes had been in existence since the early years of 
the eighteenth century, and besides that Virginia had 
granted George Rogers Clark and his men, who had 
taken part in his campaign against Vincennes during 
the Revolution, 150,000 acres of land on the Ohio 
River, and this grant had been confirmed by the United 
States in 1784 after the territory north of the Ohio 
had been ceded by Virginia. With the close of the 
Indian wars settlers began to move into these grants, 
and the census of 1800 shows that there was a popula- 
tion in what is now Indiana of nearly three thousand. 
Vincennes and vicinity had 1,538, while Clark's grant 

1 Esarey, History of Indiana, 123. 124, 127. 



2 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



had 919. 2 Most of these first settlers came from across 
the Ohio river, from Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia 
and North Carolina, and a considerable number of 
them had been members of Methodist classes in the 
older states, though the Methodist was not the only 
denomination 15 represented among these first settlers, 
but Baptists, Presbyterians and Quakers were also 
numerous. Speaking of the migration of settlers after 
the Wayne campaign, into Ohio and Indiana, and its 
effect upon Methodist societies in Kentucky and other 
places within the western country, one of the pioneer 
preachers writes : "The Indian wars having terminated, 
the people began to scatter in every direction. New 
settlements were formed, and Ohio and Indiana began 
to settle rapidly, and the societies, many of them were 
broken up, and we had not preachers sufficient to fol- 
low the tide of emigration to their new settlements" ; 4 
and as a result of this situation there was a decrease 
of members in the Western conference from 1795 to 
1801. 5 

Previous to 1800 the Methodist conference in the 
western country was called the Kentucky conference, 
but in this year the name was changed to the Western 
conference and it so remained until 1812 when it was 
divided into the Ohio and the Tennessee conferences. 6 

2 Ibid, 179. 

3W. C. Smith, "Indiana Miscellany," 43. 

The Methodists were not the most numerous religious body 
among the early settlers in Indiana. It is probable that they 
were less numerous than either the Baptist or the New Lights. 

4 Autobiography of Rev. William Burke contained in Finley's 
"Sketches of Western Methodism." 22-92. 

5 In 1797 there were 1,170 white members and 57 colored re- 
ported for the Kentucky District. In 1799 the membership had 
decreased to 1,672 white, though there was a gain of eight col- 
ored. General Minutes, Vol. I, 74. 86. 

6 The General Conference of 1796, divided the Methodist Epis- 
copal church into six conferences, among them being the "Western 
Conference" [Sherman, "History of the Discipline," 319]. The 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



3 



In 1800 the Kentucky district contained nine circuits 
embracing Kentucky, and the settled parts of what is 
now Ohio and a part of Tennessee. These circuits 
were manned by fourteen preachers and one Presid- 
ing Elder, the redoubtable William McKendree. The 
names of the circuits in this district were, the Scioto 
and Miami, in the Ohio country, the Hinkstone and 
Lexington, Danville, Salt River and Shelby, Cumber- 
land, Green River, Holston and Russell, wholly in, 
Kentucky, and the New River circuit, part in Ken- 
tucky and part in Tennessee. 7 None of these circuits 
as yet extended into Indiana, and there were no official 
Methodist societies in Indiana territory at this early 
date, but there was undoubtedly Methodist preaching 
conducted by local preachers, who had come into Indi- 
ana among the first settlers, previous to any officially 
organized society. I have named the circuits of the 
Kentucky district because it was from this district 
that Indiana Methodism sprang. The Kentucky cir- 
cuit, which was the first circuit to include any Indiana 
territory, was the Salt River and Shelby. 

In the year 1800 there was a great revival begun, 
which spread all over the western country, resulting 
in more than doubling the membership of the Western 
conference, and also greatly increasing the number of 
both local and traveling preachers. This remarkable 
revival made its appearance in Kentucky in the spring 
of 1801, at a Quarterly meeting held on the Hinkstone 
circuit. This meeting lasted from Friday until Mon- 
day morning, and preaching and exhortation was al- 
most continuous during that time. One of the preach- 
ers at that meeting has told us that there "was a great 
trembling among the dry bones. Great crowds fell 

name Western Conference, however, was not used in the minutes 
until 1801, the Western territory being designated as the Ken- 
tucky district or conference. 
7 General minutes, Vol. I, 99. 



4 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



to the ground and cried for mercy, old and young." 
The next week another meeting was conducted on the 
Lexington circuit, in which "every local preacher and 
exhorter was employed, holding small meetings at 
various places on the circuit, and on Sunday morning 
all the people came together for a great meeting, and 
as they came they could be heard, singing and shout- 
ing on the road." With this beginning the work and 
enthusiasm spread into all the circuits of the Western 
conference, and Methodist work was also extended into 
many of the new settlements. 8 

The first reliable record of Methodist preaching in 
Indiana was in 1801 at a settlement called Springville, 
which was located in Clark's grant. Two local 
preachers, Samuel Parker and Edward Talbott, crossed 
the Ohio river and conducted a two days' meeting. 9 
This was evidently a part of the great revival move- 
ment which was then under way in the western 
country. 

To William McKendree, the Presiding Elder of the 
Kentucky district, belongs the honor of establishing 
the first official Methodist class ever formed in Indi- 
ana. In the summer of 1802 Andrew Mitchell took 
William McKendree across the Ohio river in a canoe, 
and on this trip two classes were formed, in what is 
now Clark county, one at the town of Charlestown, the 
present county seat, and the other at a place called 
New Chappie. 10 In the spring of 1803 Benjamin 
Lakin, then traveling the Salt River circuit in Ken- 
tucky, crossed the river and preached in the woods 
near the present town of Charlestown, as soon as the 

8 Burke's Autobiography. 75-79. 

9 From a letter of George K. Hester, found in Holliday's 
"Indiana Methodism," 37. 

10 From a letter of I. N. Britton, a lifelong friend of Andrew 
Mitchell. The letter is found among the records of the Methodist 
church at Charlestown, Indiana. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



5 



weather permitted, and made arrangements to include 
that neighborhood, and also the Robertson neighbor- 
hood, which was five miles north of Charlestown, 
among his regular preaching places, and these places 
remained a part of this Kentucky circuit until the or- 
ganization of the Silver Creek circuit several years 
later. At the session of the Western conference, in 
1805, Peter Cartwright was appointed as junior 
preacher with Benjamin Lakin, on the Salt River and 
Shelby circuit, and he states in his Autobiography that 
"Brother Benjamin Lakin and myself crossed the Ohio 
river and preached at Brother Robertson's and Prattl- 
er's. In this grant we had two classes and splendid 
revivals of religion." 11 

While Methodist preaching was being introduced 
into Clark's grant in the manner above described, 
others were introducing Methodist preaching in other 
sections of the new territory. The narrow strip of 
territory which had been opened to settlement after 
the Wayne campaign, in the southeast section, had be- 
come quite densely populated by 1805; especially was 
this true of the country along the Whitewater river. 
In 1805 two settlements had been formed on the east 
branch of the Whitewater, one a little south of the 
present city of Richmond, which was called the Ken- 
tucky settlement, because most of the families had come 
from Kentucky; the other settlement was above the 
present town of Brookville, and was called the Carolina 
settlement, because most of the families there had come 
from South Carolina. 12 Among the settlers in the lat- 

11 Peter Cartwright' s Autobiography, 167. 

12 Western Christian Advocate, August 15. 1845. Article by 
Allen Wiley. Rev. Allen WMley, one of the well-known pioneer 
preachers of Indiana, contributed to the Western Christian Ad- 
vocate during the years 1845-1846. a series of thirty-seven papers 
on the "Introduction and Progress of Methodism in South-east- 
ern Indiana." These papers form one of the important sources 
for this study. 



6 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



ter settlement were several Methodists, including 
James Cole, Benjamin McCarty, who had been an 
exhorter or local preacher in Tennessee, and Enoch 
Smith and his pious wife. These persons met together 
with some others and drew up a petition to John Sale, 
who was the Presiding Elder of the Ohio district, ask- 
ing that a regular traveling preacher be sent them. In 
response to this petition in March, 1806, John Sale sent 
Joseph Oglesby to form a new circuit west of the Great 
Miami. 

We are fortunate in having from Oglesby himself 
a description of the formation of this new circuit, 
which became known as the Whitewater circuit. He 
began his labors at the home of Moses Crume, a local 
preacher, living at that time near the present town of 
Hamilton, Ohio. His next stop was at the cabin of a 
family a few miles from Crume's by the name of Gray. 
After opening several preaching places in Ohio he 
struck General Wayne's old road from Hamilton to Ft. 
Wayne, which he says "seemed still fresh and plain." 
From this road he came upon an Indian trail which led 
him into Indiana, to the settlement above mentioned, 
the one known as the Kentucky settlement, near the 
present town of Richmond. Here he preached at the 
cabin of a Mr. Cox, where he formed a society. This 
society was small, because most of the people in this 
settlement were Baptists. The next preaching place 
was at McCarty's, more than forty miles down the 
Whitewater, seven miles above the entrance of that 
river into the state of Ohio. Here a flourishing society 
was formed. From McCarty's he went eleven miles 
down the river to the cabin of a Mr. Thomas, this class 
finally building a meeting house at Elizabethtown. 
From thence he went to the house of a Mr. Hays, be- 
tween Elizabethtown and Lawrenceburg and formed 
another society. Oglesby also preached at Lawrence- 
burg, the county town of Dearborn county, on this first 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 7 



round, the town having been founded in 1802. From 
Lawrenceburg the preacher started north, up the 
Miami, preaching on both sides of the river, until he 
arrived at the place of beginning. 13 This route was 
traveled by Oglesby every four weeks until the meet- 
ing of the Western conference, which was held that 
year in Tennessee, on September 15, 1806, and during 
his six months on this circuit he succeeded in gathering 
into Church membership sixty-seven persons. 

Joseph Oglesby, the founder of the Whitewater cir- 
cuit, was at that time a tall, slender, young man, in the 
prime of life. His hair, which inclined to be fair, was 
clipped short from the forehead half way back to the 
crown, and the remainder was allowed to grow eight or 
ten inches long, so as to reach down to his shoulders, 
and hung loosely about his neck. This peculiar method 
of hair dressing was recognized as the Methodist 
preacher fashion, and was quite generally followed by 
all the preachers. Oglesby's voice was a full bass and 
stentorian, but not harsh or grating. He had a great 
command of words and poured forth his thoughts and 
feelings with great volubility and zeal." 14 The second 
year of the Whitewater circuit, (1806-1807) Thomas 
Heliums and Sela Paine were appointed as the circuit 
preachers. 15 Heliums is described as "a grave, zealous, 
affectionate and weeping preacher." His countenance 
was always most solemn, "and his subjects of discourse 
were usually of a grave and pathetic cast. * * * The 
intonations of his voice were as solemn as death, and 

13 Western Christian Adv.. October 17. 1845. In this paper 
Allen Wiley quotes from a letter of Joseph Oglesby. in which the 
above facts are given concerning the founding of the Whitewater 
circuit. 

14 Western Christian Adv.. October 17. 1845. 

15 The year 1807 was the first year a report from the White- 
water circuit appears in the minutes and through a mistake it is 
called White River circuit instead of Whitewater. (Minutes. 
Vol. I. 149.) 



8 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



usually large tears dropped from his face most of the 
time while he was preaching." 16 In this year Benjamin 
Lakin, whom we have met before, as one of the earliest 
Methodist itinerants to preach in Indiana, preached at 
a quarterly meeting held at McCarty's. During one of 
his sermons on a Sabbath, he suddenly paused and said 
in a most solemn manner, "I feel an impression that 
there is some young man or woman in this house, who 
will be tramping in hell before this time next year." 
Immediately, we are told by Allen Wiley, who was one 
of the young men present at that meeting, ' 'all the 
young people whom I could see became deathly pale: 
and I suppose myself among the rest: for — I felt as 
awful as death, judgment and eternity could make 
me." 17 

Joseph Williams was the circuit preacher on the 
Whitewater circuit during the year 1807-1808, and 
that year many new neighborhoods were settled 
and taken in as preaching places, and the number of 
appointments on the circuit had increased to over 
twenty. Hugh Cull, a local preacher who had settled 
in the Whitewater country in 1805 and had done some 
preaching in the neighborhood, was employed to help 
Williams on the circuit, and at the close of the year the 
membership of the circuit was reported as 165 white 
and one colored. 18 

The first entire circuit in the territory of Indiana 
was the Silver Creek, which was organized in 1807 
with Moses Ashworth as the circuit preacher. This 
new circuit took in Clark's grant, which had formerly 
been included within the Salt River and Shelby circuit 
of the Kentucky district. With the organization of 
this circuit, Indiana Methodism starts on its separate 

16 Western Christian Adv.. November 28, 1845. Allen Wiley 
Paper Number VI. 

17 Ibid., December 5, 1845. Paper Number VII. 

18 Minutes. Vol. I, 159. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 9 

career. Moses Ashworth closed his first year with a 
camp-meeting, held in the Robertson's neighborhood, a 
few miles from Charlestown, and this was one of the 
first, if not the first camp-meeting to be held in In- 
diana. 19 In the year 1808 a new district was added to 
the Western conference, and it received the name, In- 
diana district, and thus the name Indiana, appears on 
Methodist records for the first time. This new district 
had six circuits, namely: The Illinois, which included 
all the settlements in the great territory ; the Missouri, 
another state- wide circuit ; Maramack, Cold Water, and 
the two Indiana circuits, the Silver Creek and the 
Whitewater. 20 Over this new district was placed as 
Presiding Elder, Samuel Parker, one of the local 
preachers who first introduced Methodist preaching in 
Indiana in the year 1801. 

In the year 1809 a third Indiana circuit was formed, 
the first report of which appeared in the minutes for 
1810. This circuit was the Vincennes and the preacher 
appointed to preach Methodist doctrine in this Roman 
Catholic stronghold was William Winans. 21 The story 
is told that one of the first services conducted by the 
circuit rider in the old town of Vincennes was held on 
a Sabbath evening at the fort, on the Wabash. The 
congregation was made up of a few government offi- 
cials, a few English speaking settlers, two or three In- 
dians and the Governor of the territory, William Henry 
Harrison. There were only a few tallow candles to 
furnish light for the service, and one of these was held 
by the governor to enable the young circuit rider to 
read his text and line out the hymn. 22 And it ought 
to be said, in this connection, that the first governor of 
Indiana territory, William Henry Harrison, was always 

19 From the letter of Key. Geo. K. Hester, as above. 

20 Minutes, Vol. I, 171. 

21 Ibid., 184. 

22 Hollida'y, "Indiana Methodism," 28, 29. 



10 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



the firm friend of the Methodist circuit rider, though 
he himself was a communicant of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

Belonging to the Vincennes circuit was a neighbor- 
hood known as the Busroe settlement, located on the 
Wabash, which was visited by Peter Cartwright in 
1808, and in this settlement he organized a Methodist 
society, in the following manner, which we will allow 
him to relate in his own way : 23 

"I will state here a case which occurred at an early 
date in the state of Indiana, in a settlement called 
Busroe. Many of the early emigrants to that settle- 
ment were Methodists, Baptists and Cumberland Pres- 
byterians. The Shaker priests, all apostates from the 
Baptist and Cumberland Presbyterians, went over 
among them. Many of them I was personally ac- 
quainted with and had given them letters when they 
removed from Kentucky to that new country. 

"There was then no Methodist circuit preacher in 
that region. There was an old brother Collins, a local 
preacher, who withstood the Shakers, and in private 
combat was a full match for anj^ of them ; but he was 
not eloquent in debate, and hence the Shaker priests 
overcame my old brother, and by scores swept mem- 
bers of different churches away from their steadfast- 
ness into the muddy pools of Shakerism. The few who 
remained steadfast, sent to Kentucky for me, praying 
me to come over and help them. I sent an appointment 
with an invitation to meet any or all of the Shaker 
priests in public debate ; but instead of meeting me they 
appointed a meeting in opposition, and warned the be- 
lievers, as they called them, to keep away from my 
meeting; but from our former acquaintance and inti- 
mate friendship, many of them came to hear me. I 

23 Peter Cartwright says the second full circuit in the State of 
Indiana was the Vincennes circuit, which he himself helped to 
form in the manner here described. "Autobiography," 167. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 11 



preached to vast crowds for three hours, and I verily 
believe God helped me. The very foundation of every 
Shaker present was shaken from under him. They 
then besought me to go to the Shaker meeting that 
night. I went, and when I got there we had a great 
crowd. I proposed to them that we have a debate and 
they dared not refuse. The terms were these ; a local 
preacher I had with me was to open the debate, then 
one or ail of their preachers, if they chose, were to fol- 
low, and I was to bring up the rear." To this agree- 
ment the Shakers, however, failed to comply, for after 
the debate was under way, one of the Shaker priests, as 
Peter Cartwright calls them, called all the shakers 
present to disperse, but the sturdy circuit preacher 
then arose and called upon the crowd to remain, and 
succeeded in holdig[n a considerable number of them. 
He says, "When I arose to reply I felt a sense of the 
approbation of God, and that he would give me success. 
I addressed the multiude about three hours, and when I 
closed the argument, I opened the doors of the church 
and invited all that would renounce Shakerism to come 
and give me their hand. Forty-seven came forward 
and then and there renounced the dreadful delusion. 
The next day I followed those that fled; and I went 
from cabin to cabin, taking the names of those that re- 
turned to the solid foundation of truth, and my num- 
ber rose to eighty-seven. I then organized them into a 
regular society and then next fall had a preacher sent 
them; and perhaps this victory may be considered 
among the first fruits of Methodism in that part of the 
new country." 24 

24 Peter Cartwright's Autobiography, 53-55. The Shakers were 
a communistic sect officially known as "The United Society of Be- 
lievers in Christ's Second Coming."' The Shakers did not recog- 
nize marriage as a Christian institution and considered it less 
perfect than the celibate state. They were very active in Ken- 
tucky, Ohio and Indiana for a number of years after 1800. 
Shaker communities were founded in Southern Indiana, among 



12 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Much of the preaching of the circuit riders was of a 
controversial character, largely due to the fact that 
Methodism was misunderstood and preached against by 
other denominations, and the Methodist itinerant felt 
called upon to defend his teaching. A Baptist who 
overhearing a conversation concerning the Arminian 
magazine said he had always understood the word 
Arminian to mean one who trusted in the arm of flesh 
for salvation, and he stated that he did not know that 
Methodism believed and taught "free grace." Many 
thought that Arminian meant the same as Arianism,-"' 
which misconception led to bitter attacks upon Method- 
ism. But undoubtedly the controversial character of 
the preaching was one of the things which attracted 
people to the Methodist meetings, because most people 
enjoy denunciations. 

In the fall of 1810 the Whitewater circuit was 
divided, the lower part receiving the name of Enon cir- 
cuit, which was a Scriptural name meaning abundance 
of waters, and this new circuit was well described by 
this name, for there were twelve creeks to be crossed 
by the preacher in his rounds of the circuit, and many 
times he was compelled to travel many miles out of his 
way, over high and steep hills, and at this time there 
were no roads and few paths to guide him on his way. 
This name Enon was rather too vague, however, for it 
meant nothing to the average person, and the next year 
the circuit name was changed to Lawrenceburg. 26 The 
first circuit preacher on the Enon circuit was Walter 
Griffith, who was a young man, in the prime of life, and 
full of zeal. And indeed all of the pioneer preachers in 
Indiana were young men. Griffith found an excellent 
helper on the circuit, in the person of Elijah Sparks, a 

them this community at Busroe on the Wabash. The Methodist 
circuit riders were deadly foes to this delusion. 

25 Western Christian Advocate. December 19. 1845. 

26 Western Christian Advocate, December 19. 1845. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 13 



lawyer living near Lawrenceburg, who had formerly 
been a traveling preacher, but on his marriage, had 
located, for in those days, to marry was equivalent to 
ceasing from traveling. Sparks had moved to Indiana 
from Kentucky in 1806 and until his death in 1815 he 
was one of the most popular preachers in Indiana, espe- 
cially at camp-meetings. In those days there was great 
prejudice against lawyers and many thought a lawyer 
could not be a christian, but Sparks succeeded in over- 
coming this prejudice, although he continued to prac- 
tice law and preach at the same time. In 1814 he was 
appointed Judge for the third circuit of Indiana terri- 
tory, which he held until his death, the following 
year. 27 

In 1811 there was a division of the Vincennes cir- 
cuit, the Patoka circuit being created in the southwest 
corner of the territory. The territory of this new cir- 
cuit mostly lay along the Patoka river. 2 s The year 
1811 was a notable one in the history of the territory 
of Indiana, and also in the history of Indiana Method- 
ism, for it was in the fall of this year that the battle 
of Tippecanoe was fought and won by General Harri- 
son, and it was also the year of the great earthquake. 
These quakes were of the most severe kind and con- 
tinued during most of the winter of 1811 and 1812. 
The effect of these shocks upon Indiana Methodism and 
religion in general is thus described by an eyewitness : 
"As a result of the continued quakes the whole country 
became alarmed and the most vile and hardened sin- 
ners began to tremble and quake, and go to meeting, 
and weep and pray. Now every preacher traveling and 
local, with the exhorters began to hold meetings with 
more earnestness than ever, in almost all directions, 
and Baptist ministers did the same, and it seemed as if 
almost everybody would become religious that winter 

27 Ibid.. October 24, 1845. 

28 Minutes, Vol. I, 211. 



14 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



and spring. Some men were converted and became 
preachers, whose conversion I had been in the habit of 
regarding as almost as hopeless as the conversion of 
the devil himself. There was one man by the name of 
William Ramsey, whom I had regarded as the most pro- 
fane and wicked man I ever knew, who became as tame 
and timid as a lamb. A few months afterward he was 
soundly converted, he became a useful preacher and 
continued so for years, while he remained in our part 
of the country." 29 

The success of this year, largely due to the earth- 
quake, was very great, and there was a large ingather- 
ing of members. The Whitewater circuit increased 
from 567 to 843, an increase of 276 ; the Lawrenceburg 
circuit increased from 306 to 480, an increase of 174 ; 
the increase in the Silver Creek circuit was from 375 
to 555 ; while the Vincennes circuit was divided, prob- 
ably as the result of the great increase in members and 
preaching places. This great increase throughout the 
circuits of Indiana, however, proved to be an unhealthy 
growth, and the next year there was a reaction, result- 
ing in a considerable loss both of members and zeal, 
and we are told that it was some years before the 
Church was as healthy and vigorous as it was 
formerly. 30 

Another cause of the decrease in membership fol- 
lowing the year 1811, was the breaking out of the War 
of 1812. The alarm of war drove many of the settlers 
to the block houses, because of the growing hostility of 
the Indians; while a considerable number of the 
frontiersmen entered the service of their country as 
volunteers, and the work of the circuit riders was 
hindered materially. 

In 1812 the Whitewater circuit was again divided, 
the part east of the present town of Brookville was 

29 Western Christian Advocate, January 9, 1846. 

30 Minutes, Vol. I, 209, 211. 227. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 15 



called the Oxford circuit, part of which lay within the 
state of Ohio. The circuit embraced much of the pres- 
ent Franklin county, the whole of Union county, the 
settled parts of Wayne county and perhaps a part of 
Fayette county. 31 The first preacher on this new cir- 
cuit was Moses Crume, one of the most useful of all the 
early Indiana preachers. 32 Like so many of the other 
early Indiana preachers, Crume was a native of Vir- 
ginia, moved to Kentucky and from there came to 
Ohio, and later to Indiana territory. In the course of 
his career as a Methodist itinerant he travelled from 
Madison, Indiana, to Urbana, Ohio, and from £he 
Miami to the western line of Indiana. He has been 
described as resembling Washington in appearance. 
He was never a popular preacher, due to his lack of 
voice and energy in the pulpit but his sermons were 
always sound and good, and was a thorough student 
for those days, and was familiar with all the current 
theological discussion. He always carried Cannot 
marginal Bible with him and it was filled with marks 
from Genesis to Revelation. He was thoroughly 
familiar also with the doctrine, usages and discipline 
of the Methodist Church, and was a most firm and just 
administrator. 

The preacher on the Whitewater circuit during the 
first year of the war of 1812 was John Strange, who 
was an extremely popular and talented itinerant. Dur- 
ing this year he traveled from block-house to block- 
house with his gun on his shoulder, to defend himself 
from the Indians, and on one occasion while on his 
rounds, on reaching one of the block-houses and learn- 
ing that all its occupants were unharmed since his last 
visit, he started up the hymn : 

"And are we yet alive and see each others face?" 33 

31 Western Christian Advocate, February 20, 1846. 

32 Ibid., January 30, 1846. 

33 Ibid., February 20, 1846. 



16 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



In 1812 the Western conference was divided into 
the Ohio and Tennessee conferences and the Indiana 
circuits were divided between them ; the circuits in the 
southeastern corner of the territory were included in 
the Ohio conference, while those in the southwest sec- 
tion were in the Tennessee conference. The circuits 
were divided among three districts, the Miami and Salt 
River districts of the Ohio conference and the Wabash 
district of the Tennessee conference. There were very 
frequent changes made in the circuits and districts, 
and for that reason it is difficult to follow them, 
through several years. For instance, the Wabash dis- 
trict appears only in the reports for 1812 and 1813, 
and never appears again ; Patoka circuit, started in 
1811, disappears the two following years and again ap- 
pears in 1814. 34 

Among the early Indiana Presiding Elders, were 
John Sale, Samuel Parker, Soloman Langdon, Learner 
Blackman, William Burke, James Axley, James Ward, 
Peter Cartwright, Charles Holliday and Jesse Walk- 
er. 3 5 Altogether they were a remarkable group of men, 
and every one of them is worthy of a permanent place 
in the history of the great state of Indiana. The Jesuit 
Fathers, in the days of exploration on this continent, 
undertook no greater task than the task which was 
undertaken by these rude, but earnest and upright 
frontier preachers. The circuit riders were no less de- 
voted and many times as well qualified to preach, as 
were the Presiding Elders. In fact there was very 
little distinction made between the Elder and the 
traveling preacher, and many of the early preachers in 
Indiana became presiding elders. 

John Sale was the Presiding Elder of the Ohio dis- 
trict at the time of the formation of the Whitewater 
circuit, and he and William McKindree were therefore 

34 General Minutes, Vol. I, 216-287. 

35 Ibid. 



Ohio Conference, 
y^ltewater 
Oxford . 
Lawrence burg 
Silver Creek 

Tennessee Conf^ 

Vincennes 
Pat oka. 



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Circuit Lln«s 

— County Line6 



WABASH 



Indiana Circuits in 1812. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



17 



the first Indiana Presiding Elders. Sale was a Virgin- 
ian by birth, was received on trial into the ministry of 
the Methodist Church in 1796, and traveled his first 
circuits in Virginia and North Carolina. In the year 
1800 he was sent to the Kentucky circuit, in 1802 he 
traveled the Scioto circuit in Ohio ; in 1803 he was ap- 
pointed to the Miami circuit, also in Ohio ; in 1804 he 
again served a circuit in Kentucky, and was made Pre- 
siding Elder of the Ohio district in 1805. At that time 
the Ohio district was probably the largest district in 
Methodism. It embraced a part of Virginia, all the 
settled parts of Ohio, and after the spring of 1808 the 
southeastern part of Indiana. He traveled this district 
three years, when in 1808 the district was divided, the 
western part being called the Miami district, which he 
served two years. The next four years he traveled the 
Kentucky district, then two more years he was on the 
Miami district and from 1818 to his death, in 1826, he 
served circuits in Ohio. 

John Sale married while on the Ohio district and 
was one of the first two married traveling preachers in 
the western country. The other of the earliest mar- 
ried preachers was William Burke, who was Presiding 
Elder of the Green River district in 1810 when it in- 
cluded the Silver Creek circuit. Bishop Asbury dis- 
couraged marriage among the preachers, knowing the 
increased hardships marriage would bring to the 
preachers themselves, but especially to the preachers' 
wives. For this reason many of the pioneer preachers 
ceased to travel, as the active ministry was termed, 
while they were still young men, simply because they 
married, and were advised to locate; that is, they set- 
tled down on a farm, generally, or entered some other 
profession though they did not cease to be preachers or 
members of the conference. At this early time sixty- 
four dollars was the amount allowed a traveling preach- 
er, and he must provide in most cases his own horse 



(2) 



18 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



and equipment, such as saddle and saddle-bags, and in 
few cases did he receive all he was allowed. William 
Burke says, that after his marriage, "I met with every 
discouragement that could be thrown in my way. Peo- 
ple and preachers said, 'You had better locate.' I shared 
equally with the single men when they were on the 
circuit with me, in order to keep peace. * * * One 
winter I had to use a borrowed blanket instead of a 
cloak or overcoat." By 1810, however, it became much 
more common for preachers to marry, though all were 
not as successful as they might have been in selecting 
wives suitable for a circuit rider. In 1811 a junior 
preacher by the name of Homes was sent to aid Moses 
Crume on the Whitewater circuit. Homes was mar- 
ried and his wife traveled, for the most part, with him 
on the circuit. She was an incessant smoker, and her 
husband would be compelled to stop frequently at the 
cabins to light her pipe. Naturally this particular 
preacher's wife soon became most unpopular on the 
circuit, not only because of her smoking, but because 
of her sharp and cutting comments, concerning the 
food and lodging at the various cabins where they were 
entertained. 

In appearance John Sale was a heavy, medium sized 
man, and very neat in his dress. He was possessed of 
a large share of good, strong common sense, and was 
particularly careful to regard the decencies of public 
worship, and would suffer nothing that was extrava- 
gant in religious assemblies, if he could hinder it. I 
have found, indeed, common sense to be one of the 
characteristics of the early Methodist pioneer preacher 
although it has been the popular conception that the 
Methodist circuit rider courted religious extravagances 
and thrived upon them. Sale was also a strict disciplin- 



36 Western Christian Advocate. December 2(i. 1S45. 

37 Burke's Autobiography, 91. 

38 Western Christian Advocate. Dec-ember 26, 1S45. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



19 



arian, and was always careful to see that Methodist 
usages were enforced. From 1810 to 1820 there was a 
great controversy among Methodist preachers, con- 
cerning infant purity and innate depravity, and for a 
time it seemed that it would result in splitting Metho- 
dism on the frontier into two camps, but Sale, always 
a kind and zealous peace-maker, was largely instru- 
mental in healing the dispute. Allen Wiley says that 
"perhaps Methodism in much of Ohio and Indiana is 
more indebted to John Sale for its symmetry and 
beauty than to any one man on earth or in heaven." 39 

Soloman Langdon, who served a number of years 
as Presiding Elder of the Miami district, when that dis- 
trict included three of the southeastern Indiana cir- 
cuits, was a New Englander by birth, and began to 
preach in his native section in 1800. He came west in 
1807, served several circuits in Ohio, and was appointed 
Presiding Elder of the Miami district in 1810. In ap- 
pearance he was a tall, noble man, and had great grav- 
ity and dignity "in all his ministrations." Wiley says, 
"He was a good successor to John Sale, not similar ex- 
cept in good sense and piety. They were both men well 
calculated to give stability and perpetuity to Meth- 
odism in a new country." Langdon was not an emo- 
tional preacher, but he was a "sound and talented man, 
and did much to disabuse the public mind of miscon- 
ceptions concerning Methodism." 40 

Peter Cartwright's connetction with Indiana Meth- 
odism was limited to the year he served on the Salt 
River and Shelby circuit in Kentucky in 1805, when he 
crossed the Ohio River and preached in Indiana, to his 
visit to the Busroe settlement in 1808 when he put the 
Shakers to flight, and to the year 1812-1813, when he 
served as Presiding Elder of the Wabash district, which 
included within its bounds the Vincennes and the Pa- 

39 Western Christian Adovcate, January 16, 1846. 

40 Ibid., December 26, 1845. 



20 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



toka circuits. It is unnecessary to give an extended 
account here, of this perhaps the most famous of all 
Methodist frontier preachers. His Autobiography, 
which reads like a veritable fairy tale, is still sold and 
read by thousands, and through that medium his fame 
has gone far beyond the bounds of the Methodist 
church. 

James Axley, who was the Presiding Elder on the 
Wabash district in 1811-1812, was one of the peculiar 
and interesting characters to be found among the early 
preachers in the western country. He was a man of 
little education, but was genuine, and tremendously 
effective in his work. He seemed to be afraid of noth- 
ing, except sin, and yet he was as teachable as a child. 
On one occasion when Peter Cartwright and he were 
dining at the home of the Governor of Kentucky, among 
other things on the table before them was fried chicken, 
and Axley, who had evidently had little experience with 
table etiquette, called the family dog to his chair and 
threw T the chicken bones on the carpet for the dog to 
eat. When they went to their room Cartwright re- 
buked him for his bad manners, and so mortified was 
Axley because of his ignorance, that he actually wept. 41 
On another occasion Axley was preaching in a private 
house with a chair before him for a pulpit, when two 
young ladies came in and sat just in front of the 
preacher. The young ladies had on dresses with short 
sleeves and low necks, for such things were fashion- 
able then as now. Axley had a large bandanna hand- 
kerchief on the back of his chair, and he paused in the 
service and handed the handkerchief to the young 
ladies with the request that they would cover their 
bosoms. 42 

Axley was very strong in his opposition to slavery 
and whiskey, as indeed were most of the frontier 

41 Cartwright' s Autobiography. 

42 Rev. Joseph Tarkingtou's Autobiography, 74. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



21 



preachers, at this date. After he ceased preaching, and 
located, he made his living and supported his family by 
farming, and he was wont to testify on all proper oc- 
casions, that "his logs were rolled, his house raised, and 
his grain cut without whiskey; and though he had 
plentyful crops of corn, not the first track of a negro's 
foot was ever seen in one of his fields." 43 On one oc- 
casion Axley was discoursing on the conformity to the 
world among Christians, particularly in fashionable 
dress and manners. In his address he held a sort of a 
colloquy with an imaginary apologist, seated at the 
other end of the congregation. The pleas and excuses 
of this imaginary person were given in an altered tone 
of voice, and then assuming his natural voice he would 
reply. "But sir," his imaginary man says, "some of 
your Methodist preachers themselves dress in fashion- 
able style, and in air and manner enact the dandy." 

"0 no, my friend, that can not be. Methodist 
preachers know their calling better. They are men of 
more sense than that, and would not stoop so low as to 
disgrace themselves and the sacred office they hold by 
such gross inconsistency of character." 

"Well, sir, if you won't take my word for it, just 
look at those young preachers in the pulpit behind you." 

Axley then in seeming surprise turned around and 
facing the two or three rather fashionably dressed 
junior preachers seated in the rear of the pulpit, sur- 
veyed them from head to foot for several minutes, 
while they quailed under his keen glance. Then turn- 
ing around to the congregation, and leaning a little 
forward with his arm extended and his eyes fixed on 
the supposed apologist at the back of the room, he said 

43 Finley, "Sketches of Western Methodism," Chapter XVI. 
231-246. Rev. J. B. Finley in this book gives sketches of a num- 
ber of early Indiana preachers. Among them are short biographies 
of Benjamin Lakin, John Sale, Samuel Parker, Learner Black- 
man, James Axley. Joseph Oglesby. John Collins and John 
Strange. 



22 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



in a subdued voice. "If you please, sir, we'll drop the 
subject/' 

The Presiding Elder par excellence in early Indiana 
Methodism was Samuel Parker, especially from the 
standpoint of eloquence. He was the Presiding Elder 
appointed to take charge of the new Indiana district, 
at its formation in 1808, and served as the Presiding 
Elder of the Miami district in 1811. He was a native 
of New Jersey and began to preach in 1800, though he 
was not admitted to membership in the Western con- 
ference until 1805. His first circuit was the Hinkstone 
in Kentucky, and he served various circuits in Ken- 
tucky and Ohio until 1808, when he became Presiding 
Elder of the new Indiana district. Later he was ap- 
pointed to a similar office in the Miami district, and in 
1815 he was made Presiding Elder of the Kentucky 
district, which he held four years. At the end of that 
time he was sent to Mississippi to take charge of the 
new work there, but his career was soon cut short by 
his untimely death in 1819. Samuel Parker is a good 
example of the itinerant who literally burned himself 
out in the service of the Church. 43 

Parker was a tall, slim, awkward man, with large 
blue eyes and an enormous Roman nose. He had a long 
chin which he used in the winter time to hold up the 
blanket which served in lieu of a great coat. A hole 
was cut in the center of the blanket, large enough to 
let his small head through, and when it was bitter cold, 
he would hang the forepart of the hole on his chin and 
bid defiance to wind and cold. And when his bed 
covering proved not sufficient, his blanket was made to 
serve for that purpose, and it was frequently brought 
into use, for bed covering was scant, especially at 
Quarterly meeting. There were few churches in those 
early days and quarterly meetings were held at private 
cabins, and on those occasions they would be crowded 
with strangers. When bed time came the "sisterhood" 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



23 



took the beds while the men would "pile down on the 
floor by the dozen," and with feet extended to the fire, 
would sleep soundly until the morning. 

Let us picture this homely, awkward frontier 
preacher, clad in ill fitting, homespun preacher garb, — 
for there was a well recognized preacher garb then as 
now, — as he conducts the preaching in one of these rude 
cabins on a quarterly meeting occasion. He places his 
chair before him as his pulpit, and begins to read a 
hymn, in a soft and charming voice. After the singing 
of the hymn, comes the prayer, which is uttered with 
such eloquence and pathos "that heaven and earth 
seemed in juxtaposition." And then follows the sermon 
on the text, "The upright love thee." One who was 
present on such an occasion and heard this very ser- 
mon says, "I have since heard the most able divines in 
the country, but his description of the good man's love 
to God and God's love to man, I have not been priv- 
ileged to hear equaled since, and indeed I never expect 
to hear anything this side the throne of God which will 
surpass it." 44 

The camp-meeting, however, was the place where 
the early Methodist preacher had the best opportunity 
to display his powers in the pulpit. It was customary 
for a camp-meeting to be held on each circuit at some- 
time during the summer months, and at such meetings 
several preachers from adjoining circuits, and some- 
times preachers from a distance would be present. The 
first camp-meeting held in Indiana was probably the 
one conducted in the Robertson neighborhood, in the 
vicinity of Charlestown in the summer of 1807. In 
1808 there was a camp-meeting conducted on the 
Whitewater circuit, and after this date we have records 
of many Indiana camp-meetings. In 1810 there were 
two camp-meetings conducted on the Whitewater cir- 

44 Memorial sketch of the Life of Samuel Parker. Minutes, 
Vol. I, 358, 359. 



24 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



cuit. At one of these meetings the wife of a local 
preacher, Jeremiah Meek by name, became ecstatic and 
continued in this state for about three weeks, during 
which time she scarcely ate, drank or slept. This was 
too much for her nerves and it resulted in the unbalanc- 
ing of her mind, and she remained so for many years. 
At the other camp-meeting, held on this circuit in 1810, 
there were five preachers present besides the regular 
circuit preachers, and we are told by one who was pres- 
ent, that this meeting made a "powerful impression in 
favor of religion in general and Methodism in par- 
ticular." 45 

In 1815 two new Indiana circuits were added to 
the six already in existence, the Wabash and the Blue 
River circuits. The Wabash circuit was in the south- 
western corner of the state just below the Patoka cir- 
cuit, and the Blue River circuit was situated along the 
banks of that stream, just to the west of the Silver 
Creek circuit. 46 It is interesting to note that all the 
Indiana circuits, up to 1816, were named after streams 
with the exception of the Vincennes and the Lawrence- 
burg. The reason for these names is obvious. The 
early settlements were along the rivers and creeks, and 
these streams and the valleys served as the natural 
highways for the new country, and the circuit naturally 
derived its name from the stream along which the cab- 
ins of the settlers belonging to the circuit, were located. 
There were in those days few towns or post offices after 
which circuits might be named, and when finally towns 
of some importance did come into existence, the circuits 
soon came to bear their names. This naming of cir- 
cuits after streams was not in any sense peculiar to 
Indiana, but the same practice was followed all over 
the western country. The Blue River circuit was in 
the Salt River district of the Ohio conference, while the 

45 Western Christian Advocate. March 6, 1846. 
4fi Ibid., December 19. 1845, December 5, 1845. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 25 



Wabash circuit was placed in the Illinois district of the 
- Tennessee conference. The first circuit preachers on 
these new circuits were James Simmons for the Blue 
River circuit and Daniel MTIenry for the Wabash. 

At the beginning of Indiana Methodism there were 
of course no meeting houses, but in the winter time the 
cabins of the settlers were the temples, and in the 
spring, just as soon as it became warm enough, the 
people worshipped out under the trees. It was not 
long, however, before log meeting houses began to be 
erected, for there was plenty of material, and a Meth- 
odist revival generally resulted in providing willing 
hands to erect the desired house of worship. The men 
"were skillful with the chopping ax, the broad ax, the 
maul and wedge, the f row and whip saw, and the woods 
were full of tall and straight-boled beeches, maples and 
ash trees with a fair sprinkling of straight-grained 
white oaks and poplars. All the men had to do in order 
to have a meeting house was to go into the forest and 
cut, hew, split, rive, whip-saw and build — and they did 
it." 47 When the day for raising the house came round 
a general invitation was sent out and volunteer help 
came from all quarters. Any man was considered a 
very mean one indeed who did not give muscular aid 
on such an occasion. Thus were the first Methodist 
meeting houses erected in Indiana, and they soon began 
to rise up in all the circuits. During the first year on 
the Silver Creek circuit three *such meeting houses were 
erected. One of the first meeting houses to be erected 
on the Whitewater circuit was the Meeks meeting 
house, located on Clear creek, a mile and a half north- 
east of the present town of Salisbury. This meeting 
house was erected in 1808. In 1809 the Cain meeting 
house, a few miles north of Richmond, was erected, and 
in 1810 a third meeting house was built at the little 
town of Boston. The Cain meeting house was dedicated 

47 General Minutes, Vol. 1. 282, 283. 



26 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



by Rev. John Summerville, who preached from the text, 
"Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, 
out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor 
together." In these log meeting houses there were 
none of the comforts known to modern churches, and 
the exterior and interior was rough and rudely finished. 
The roofs were made of clapboards, held on by weight 
poles ; the floors were of puncheons ; the chimneys of 
sticks and clay, while the seats were split logs hewn 
smoothly with an ax. The pulpit was a box-like struc- 
ture made of riven boards, often of oak, smoothly 
shaven with a drawing knife. 49 

American Methodism in the year 1816 sustained a 
great loss in the death of Bishop Francis Asbury, who 
died on the 31st of March of this year. 50 To him more 
than to any other, is due the honor of being called the 
father of American Methodism. He came to America 
in 1771, saturated with Wesley's thoughts, and resolute- 
ly determined to carry out Wesley's plan. Instead of 
settling down in the centers of population, he heard 
and heeded the call of the wilderness, and himself set- 
ting the example, he sent his preachers through the 
forests and over the mountains to take the Gospel to 
the far flung outposts of civilization. "For nearly 
fifty years he was the outrider of an ever-growing 
army of apostolic men who knew neither self nor fear, 
who conquered a continent and covered it with a net- 
work of circuits and conferences." 51 Although Meth- 
odism in Indiana was not founded by Asbury, person- 
ally, yet it was his spirit which fired the hearts and 

48 Judge David I). Banta, "Making a Neighborhood," 17-18. 
From "Readings in Indiana History"'. 295-297. 

49 W. C. Smith, "Indiana Miscellany," 62-70. 

50 Biographical sketch of Francis Asbury. General minutes, 
Vol. I, 272-274. 

51 The Journal of John Wesley, edited by Nfehemiah Curnock. 
Vol. VI, 2. Editor's comment. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



27 



inspired the deeds of the McKindrees, and Sales, and 
Parkers and all the others. 

By 1816 there were eight circuits in Indiana with 
a total membership of 2,699 whites and eight colored. 
The colored members were found only on the Silver 
Creek and Lawrenceburg circuits. These eight cir- 
cuits were divided among three districts; the White- 
water, Lawrenceburg and Oxford circuits were in the 
Miami district; the Silver Creek and the Blue River 
circuits were in the Salt River district ; while the three 
southwestern circuits, the Vincennes, the Patoka and 
the Wabash were in the Illinois district of the Tennes- 
see conference. The Miami and the Salt River districts 
were in the Ohio conference. 

List of Indiana circuits, with circuit preachers and presiding 
elders by years, to 1816 : 

1806 — Whitewater Circuit: James Oglesby, circuit preacher; 
John Sale, presiding elder. 

1806- 1807 — Whitewater: Thomas Heliums and Sela Paine, preach- 

ers, John Sale, presiding elder. 

1807- 1808 — Whitewater : Joseph Williams, preacher, John Sale, 

presiding elder. Silver Creek : Moses Ashworth, 
preacher; William Burke, presiding elder. 

1808- 1809— Whitewater : Hector Sanford and Moses Crume, 

preachers; Samuel Parker, presiding elder. 
Silver Creek : Joseph Crawford, preacher ; Samuel 
Parker, presiding elder. 

1809- 1810 — Whitewater: Thomas Nelson, Samuel H. Thompson, 

preachers ; John Sale, presiding elder. 
Silver Creek : Sela Paine, preacher ; William Burke, 

presiding elder. 
Vincennes: William Winans. preacher; Samuel 

Parker, presiding elder. 

1810- 1811 — Whitewater: Moses Crume, preacher; Soloman Lang- 

don, presiding elder. 
Silver Creek: Isaac Lindsey, preacher; William 

Burke, presiding elder. 
Vincennes: Thomas Stilwell, preacher; Learner 

Blackman, presiding elder. 
Enon : Walter Griffith, preacher ; Soloman Langdon, 

presiding elder. 



28 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



1811-1812 — Whitewater : Robert W. Finley, preacher; Solomon 
Langdon, presiding elder. 

Silver Creek: William McMehan, preacher: James 
Ward, presiding elder. 

Vincennes: Jacob Turman, preacher; James Axley, 
presiding elder. 

Patoka: Benjamin Edge, preacher; James Axley. pre- 
siding elder. 

Enon or Lawrenceburg : Walter Griffith, preacher: 
Soloman Langdon, presiding elder. 
1M2-1813 — Whitewater: John .Strange, preacher; Soloman Lang- 
don, presiding elder. 

Silver Creek: Thomas Nelson, preacher; James Ward, 
presiding elder. 

Vincennes: Richard Richards, preacher; Peter Cart- 
wright, presiding elder. 

Patoka : Omitted this year. 

Lawrenceburg: William Dixon, preacher; Samuel 

Parker, presiding elder. 
Oxford: Moses Crume, preacher; Soloman Langdon. 
presiding elder. 

1813- 1814 — Whitewater: David Sharp, preacher; Samuel Parker. 

presiding elder. 
Silver Creek: Charles Harrison, preacher; Charles 

Holliday, presiding elder. 
Vincennes: Zechariah Wit ten, preacher; Jesse Walker. 

presiding elder. 
Patoka : Omitted this year. 

Lawrenceburg: Moses Crume, preacher; Samuel 
Parker, presiding elder. 

Oxford : John Strange, preacher ; Samuel Parker, pre- 
siding elder. 

1814- 1811) — Whitewater : William Hunt, preacher ; Samuel Parker. 

presiding elder. 

Silver Creek: Shadrach Ruark, preacher; Charles 
Holliday. presiding elder. 

Vincennes : John Schrader, preacher ; Jesse Walker, 
presiding dealer. 

Patoka: John Scripps. preacher: Jesse Walker, pre- 
siding elder. 

Lawrenceburg: John Strange, preacher: John Sale, 
presiding elder. 

Oxford: John Summerville, preacher: John Sale, pre- 
siding elder. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



29 



1815-1816 — Whitewater, Daniel Fraley. preacher; John Sale, pre- 
siding elder. 

Silver Creek: Joseph Kinkaid, preacher; Charles Hol- 

liday, presiding elder. 
Vincennes : Thomas Davis, preacher ; Jesse Walker, 

presiding elder. 
Patoka : Thomas A. King, preacher; Jesse Walker, 

presiding elder. 
Lawrenceburg : David Sharp, preacher; John Sale. 

presiding elder. 
Oxford : Benjamin Lawrence, preacher ; John Sale, 

presiding elder. 
Blue River: John Simmons, preacher; Charles Holli- 

day, presiding elder. 
Wabash : Daniel McHenry, preacher ; Jesse W r alker, 

presiding elder. 



CHAPTER II. 



INDIANA METHODISM, 1816-1832. 

IN 1816 Indiana's star was added to the American 
constellation. As early as 1812 a petition had been 
drawn up and presented to congress, asking that In- 
diana be made a state. 1 Nothing was done at this time, 
and it was not until February, 1815, that a petition 
from the inhabitants of Indiana Territory, asking for 
admission into statehood, was brought before the 
House. During the summer following this petition, 
there was much agitation throughout all the Terri- 
tory. Newspapers published accounts of new town 
sites which were being laid out, and statistics were 
gathered (though there is doubt as to their authen- 
ticity) stating that the population was 63,897. The 
Enabling Act had appointed May 13, 1816, as the time 
for the election of delegates to the Constitutional Con- 
vention. The only restriction as to the work of the 
convention was that the constitution should exclude 
slavery, the same restriction which had been laid down 
in the Ordinance of 1787. Methodism was represented 
in this convention by Hugh Cull from Wayne county, 
and Dennis Pennington, of Harrison county. 2 Both 
were interested in politics as well as religion and exer- 
cised a strong influence on the convention. 

From this time there was a rapid increase in the 
population. The immigration was still chiefly from 

1 Esarey, History of Indiana, Chap. IX. 

2 Hugh Cull was a circuit rider and local preacher in Wayne 
County. Allen Wiley says that he was the tirst Methodist iu that 
county. Dennis Pennington was not a preacher but was a promi- 
nent layman and Inter served a number of years in the State 
Legislature. Holliday, Indiana Methodism. Chapter 1. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 31 

the Carolinas, Tennessee and Kentucky, though a num- 
ber of settlers from the Western part of New York and 
the Northwestern section of Pennsylvania were forced 
into Indiana because of economic causes, during the 
early part of 1817. The summer of 1816 had been cold 
and the supply of grain was consequently limited. As 
a result of this condition many people floated down the 
Alleghany and Ohio rivers on rafts and settled in Dear- 
born, Jennings, Switzerland and Washington counties. 
These people were much interested in politics, and 
while during the period of territorial government, the 
offices had usually been filled by Virginians, from 1816- 
1824 the government was more frequently in the hands 
of settlers from Pennsylvania. There were several 
settlements directly from Europe, such as the Swiss at 
Vevay, but none became strong enough to exert an 
active influence in politics. 3 

One noticeable fact in regard to church, and par- 
ticularly Methodist history in Indiana, is that the first 
societies, as a general rule, were formed in the coun- 
try. In many of the towns, the property holders and 
office seekers were opposed to all forms of religion. 
Among the early settlers in Indiana were "criminals 
from the east and others of criminal tendencies, who 
found the restraints of the law disagreeable," This 
class took up its headquarters in the villages and about 
the village taverns. 4 This fact made the village an 
unprofitable field, while those who settled in the coun- 
try districts were more easily influenced by religious 
teaching. The moral impress of the first settlers re- 
mains in many towns to this day. In some cases, the 
proprietor of the town, the clerk of the court, or the 
landlord of the tavern gave tone to the morals of the 
community. In other cases some man of wealth or 
some family of culture made an impress that was abid- 

3 Holliday, Indiana Methodism, Chapter V. 

4 Readings in Indiana History, 294. 



\\2 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



ing. Brookville, Charlestown, Corydon, Bloomington 
and Indianapolis were fortunate in this respect, for 
their early and most influential citizens were usually 
religious, or recognized that respect was due to re- 
ligion, and that its influence on society was decidedly 
helpful, and they endeavored to promote its advance- 
ment. But we must give credit to some less worthy 
methods of promulgating religious influence. The bar- 
room was often the first place thrown open for preach- 
ing in a western village, and the landlord would pride 
himself on maintaining good order during the service. 5 
The first sermons preached in Rising Sun and New 
Albany were in bar-rooms. A sermon preached by 
James Conwell, of Laurel, led to the conversion of a 
tavern-keeper, who disposed of his liquors and opened 
his bar-room for preaching, and it remained the per- 
manent place of worship until the erection of the vil- 
lage church. 

In 1816 a readjustment was made by which south- 
west section of Indiana was to be included in the Mis- 
souri conference, which had been organized that year, 
holding its first session in Turkey Hill Settlement in 
Illinois. 6 The Indiana circuits were in the Illinois Dis- 
trict. The boundaries of this new conference extended 
into four States and Territories — Indiana, Illinois, 
Missouri and Arkansas. At the sessions of the two 
conferences, containing Indiana circuits, in 1818 we 
find the following adjustment of Indiana circuits: 
Ohio Conference, Lebanon District, contained White- 
water circuit, Miami District, Lawrenceburg, Madison 
and Oxford circuits. Missouri Conference Illinois 
District, contained Indian Creek, Blue River, Harrison, 
Vincennes, Patoka and Pigeon or Little Pigeon, and 

5 Holliday, Indiana Methodism, 99. 

6 Minutes of Conference, Vol. I, 1773-1823, p. 297. "Life and 
Times of Rev. Allen Wiley," F. C. Holliday, 51-52. Seven mem- 
bers were present at the first session of the Missouri Conference 
over which Bishop McKendree presided. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



33 



it is also probable that the Wabash circuit was within 
the bounds of the state. 

From 1815 to 1820 was a period of increased set- 
tlement and of greater development in the sections 
already settled. With the increase in population the 
value of property also increased. In 1820 a malarial 
fever epidemic in the southern section of the state, 
particularly on the lower Wabash, checked immigra- 
tion, and many left that region and settled further 
north. The growth of Methodism had kept pace with 
the growth of population. By 1817 it was found that 
the church had completely overcome the great loss in 
members caused by the war with Great Britain in 
1812-1814. The year 1817 showed an increase of 849 
members over the preceding year, and 580 over the 
number before the war began. In 1810 the popula- 
tion of Indiana was 24,520 and Methodism numbered 
its members at 755. In 1820 the population of the 
State had increased to 147,178, and Methodists to 
4,410. 7 

In 1820 Indiana was still divided between the Ohio 
and Missouri conferences ; the five circuits, Lawrence- 
burg, Whitewater, Greenville, Oxford and Madison 
being in the Ohio Conference, Miami District, while 
in the Missouri Conference an Indiana District had 
been created and contained the following circuits: 
Charlestown, Blue River, Bloomington, Vincennes, Pa- 
toka, Ohio, Mount Sterling and Corydon. 8 

This table of the increase of membership, and cir- 
cuits, so briefly given, cannot tell of the hardships en- 
dured, and the trials encountered, by the circuit rider. 
The itinerant system was peculiarly adapted to the 
time and country. It effectually prevented preachers 
from forming local ties, or creating local prejudices, 
which might have injured their effectiveness. The 

7 Statistics from Holliday, Indiana Methodism, 51. 

8 Minutes of Conferences, Vol. I, 367. 



(3) 



34 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



poverty which accompanied it kept them foot-loose 
of all worldly things. It might be compared in some 
ways, to the Jesuit system of missionary work, and 
certainly it was as effective as the work of the Catho- 
lics among the Indians and half-breeds. While the 
communities to which the itinerant preachers came 
might be rude and illiterate in some ways, still, there 
were the germs and possibilities for future growth and 
development, which had been entirely lacking in the 
Indian villages of an earlier period. The preaching of 
these devout men — and devout men they were in the 
truest sense — was a great moral and educational force. 
Even when it influenced men's minds through fear, it 
prompted them to good conduct, as one of the necessary 
means of keeping out of the ''eternal hell of quenchless 
fire." True enough, the preachers themselves were 
men of little education, but they knew thoroughly the 
messages they were to deliver and they were very 
much in earnest. Their speech might be ungrammati- 
cal at times, but their zeal was white hot with the fer- 
vor of conviction and their eloquence lost nothing in 
effectiveness by reason of rudeness in rhetoric or inac- 
curacy of diction. * 

We picture the typical itinerant of that day as a 
"tall, rawboned, hollow-eyed man, who dressed accord- 
ing to the Methodist preacher fashion of that day, 
namely, round-breasted coat, long vest with corners 
cut off, short breeches and long stockings, with his hair 
turned back from about midway between the forehead 
and the crown, and permitted to grow down to the 
shoulders." 9 One who saw Bishop William McKendree 
near Washington, Indiana, on his way to the Missouri 
Conference in 1822 or 1823 describes him as wearing 
short clothes. His coat had a high-rolling collar, a 
long and very sharp tail, with large brass buttons on 

9 One of the early itinerants as described by Allen Wiley. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



35 



it. 10 But the circuit rider was by no means so well 
dressed as a Bishop, who commanded the munificent 
salary of perhaps S30Q a year, if he could collect it, 
while many times, even as late as 1820 the circuit rider 
received little pay worth naming. The circuit rider on 
the Bioomington circuit in 1820 received as a part of 
his quarterage home made leather socks, and jeans. 
The preachers sometimes wore whole suits of leather, 
because leather resisted the briers, as wool could not. 11 

In 1821-1822 Allen Wiley was serving the White 
Water circuit with James T. Wells as his associate. 
Wells was a very peculiar man, and although he was 
conscientious and extremely religious, yet because of 
his peculiarities he was more of a hindrance than a 
help. During this year Wiley says : "I then had a 
wife and seven children, and my entire receipts for 
house rent, fuel, table expenses and quarterage, 
amounted this year to seventy-six dollars. Then there 
were no estimates for house rent, and quarterage for 
children ; so that if there were a married and a single 
preacher on the circuit the collections were divided into 
three parts, and the married man received two parts 
and the single man one ; or if one preacher had ten 
children and the other none, they both shared equal 
when they were both married men." 12 

Between the years 1820 and 1824 a number of new 
circuits had been created within the limits of Indiana, 
and in the year 1824 there were seventeen circuits, 
wholly or partially within the state. In the Miami 
District of the Ohio Conference, over which John 
Strange was the presiding elder, there were Oxford, 
Greenville, Whitewater, Lawrenceburg, Madison and 
Connersville circuits; while in the Indiana District of 
the Missouri Conference, over which William Beau- 



10 Autobiography of Rev. Joseph Tarkington, 75. 

11 Ibid., 85. 

12 Western Christian Advocate, June 26, 1846. 



36 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



champ presided there were eleven circuits, namely, 
Charlestown, Flatrock, Blue River, Bloomington, 
Honey Creek, Vincennes, Patoka, Mount Sterling, 
Corydon, Indianapolis and Eel River. 1 "' 

In 1821 William Cravens was sent to Indianapolis 
to organize a circuit. A few Methodist families had 
settled on White river in the vicinity of Indianapolis, 
and the conference wisely saw the necessity of the early 
planting of religion in the center of the new state. 
Cravens was just the man for the new circuit, zealous, 
fearless and an indefatigable worker. Coming on 
horseback to his new circuit, he met with swollen 
streams and in attempting to ford Sugar creek, he was 
swept from his horse and thrown into the stream. A 
settler seeing the horse come out of the stream with- 
out a rider went to the bank to investigate; he saw a 
large, middle aged man crawling out of the water upon 
the limbs of a tree-top which had fallen into the stream. 
As he was climbing onto the tree the settler heard him 
soliloquizing, "Well, bless God, I would go to heaven if 
it were Sugar creek all the way." 14 Cravens was a 
Virginian and while a resident in that state had been 
fearless in his denunciation of slavery and drunken- 
ness, and when he moved to Indiana he did not cease 
his denunciations of both evils. He seldom preached 
a sermon without "making all who made, sold, or drank 
ardent spirits feel uneasy." He found some residents 
in Indiana who had hired out their slaves in the slave 

13 Minutes, Vol. I, 367, 421, 425. There is some doubt about 
Oxford and Greenville circuits being in Indiana. In 1812, Allen 
Wiley says, Oxford circuit was part in Ohio and part in Indiana. 
Wiley includes these two circuits in the lists of Indiana circuits 
in his article of June 26, 1846, in the Western Christian Advocate 
for the year 1821-1822. Greenville circuit was probably partly 
in Indiana until 1827. Part of Oxford circuit was in Indiana until 
1828. Western Christian Advocate, July 17, 1846. (Allen Wiley, 
Article No. XXVI.) 

14 F. C. Holliday, "Life and Times of Allen Wiley," 45, 46. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 37 



states, and were drawing their wages, while many 
more had sold their slaves and had purchased homes 
for themselves in Indiana with the price of their slaves. 
These he denounced as "hypocrites, and worse than the 
actual slave holder." 

An early Steward's record of the old Connersville 
circuit, which was organized in 1822, affords consider- 
able insight into the method of paying the preacher, 
in the pioneer days. The record reads as follows : 



To cash received from Lewis's class $ .50 

To cash received from Curtis' class .50 

To cash received from Connersville class 2.50 

To cash received from Abbott's class 1.00 

To cash received from Hardy's class 87 V2 

Bridle leather from Hardy's class 621/2 

Cash from Tullis's class 1.25 

Shoe leather and corn from Tullis's 1.75 

Cash from Lower's class 2.561/2 

1 pair of shoe soles from Lower's .50 

Cash from Robert's class 4.65 

Cash from Hardy's class .75 

2% yards of linsey from Hardy's class 1.121/2 

Cash from E. Abbott's class 1.32 

Cash from Curtis's class .50 

7 yards of linen, from Curtis's 1.75 

One small pair of shoes from Curtis's 1.00 

3% yards of linen from Alley's class 1.25 

21/2 yards of linsey from Alley's class 1.25 

8% yards of linsey from Lewis's class 3.27 

1 pair of socks from Lewis's class .43% 

Cash from Grigg's class 2.121/2 



$36,121/2 



38 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



By cash to A. Cummins, traveling expenses. .50 
By cash to J. Havens, traveling expenses 1.50 



In 1824 the presiding elder of the Indiana District 
of the Missouri conference was William Beauchamp, 
one of the most eloquent preachers in the west. He 
was a native of Delaware, his father having been a 
Methodist preacher in that state, and also in west- 
ern Virginia. In 1794 Beauchamp joined the Confer- 
ence and was appointed to the Pittsburg circuit, and 
later served circuits in New York, Boston and Prov- 
incetown, Massachusetts. On his marriage in 1801 he 
located, and later moved to the western part of Vir- 
ginia. Though he was no longer serving regular cir- 
cuits, yet his interest in religion and the church did 
not wane, and in 1811 he published at Marietta, Ohio, 
"Essays on the Truth of the Christian Religion," which 
had a wide circulation and reading among other de- 
nominations as well as in the Methodist church. In 
1816 he became the editor of the "Western Christian 
Monitor," a monthly religious paper, established at 
Chillicothe, Ohio, especially to combat Arian and Pela- 
gian doctrines. In 1822 he resumed the active min- 
istry and continued it until his death, which occurred 
on the 8th of October, 1824, in the fifty-third year of 
his age, in the State of Indiana. 16 

Beauchamp was styled the Demosthenes of the 
west. His voice was remarkably tender with a note of 
quite indescribable sweetness about it. In argument, 

15 Western Christian Advocate, November 21, 1860. Article 
by F. C. Holliday. 

16 Methodist Magazine, Vol. VIII, pp. 17, 49, 86. A short 
sketch of the life of Beauchamp will also be found in Minutes. 
Vol. I, 474. 



To A. Cummins, allowances 
To J. Havens, allowances 



3.75 
30.37i/ 2 



$36,121/2^ 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 39 



however, his voice became elevated and it then as- 
sumed a deep and hollow tone, which had a telling 
effect upon opponents, and on one occasion literally 
staggered an antagonist who, on attempting to leave 
the house during the sermon of Beauchamp, staggered, 
and catching a railing, sank into his seat, seemingly 
overwhelmed. 17 

Five typical circuit preachers during the twenties 
and thirties in Indiana were, Allen Wiley, Calvin Ru- 
ter, James Armstrong, James Havens and Joseph 
Tarkington. Allen Wiley commenced his career as an 
itinerant in 1816, his first circuit being the Lawrence- 
burg which he traveled with Russel Biglow as the se- 
nior preacher, and for a period of thirty-one years his 
name is a conspicuous one in the annals of Indiana 
Methodism, and in the writing of an account of early 
Methodism in Indiana perhaps his name will appear 
more frequently than that of any other. 

James Havens was admitted on trial into the Ohio 
Conference in 1820. He entered the ministry under 
peculiarly discouraging circumstances, and in the face 
of them he achieved distinction and success in his 
chosen work. He had a very limited education, in fact 
when he entered the conference he could scarcely read. 
He had a large family, and was very poor in this 
world's goods, but by indefatigable work and by sheer 
force of character he became one of the conspicuous 
leaders in the church. He was a man of medium 
height, but was very strong and his courage and 
strength were often called into play in subduing the 
lawless and protecting those who desired to worship 
God in quietness. He gathered multitudes into the 
church and in spite of his late start he became an able 
defender of the truths of Christianity and the possessor 
of considerable personal culture. 1 s 

17 F. C. Holliday, "Life and Times of Allen Wiley," 92, 93. 
IS F, C. Holliday, "Indiana Methodism," 54. 



40 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



James Armstrong was a native of Ireland and was 
brought to this country by his parents when a child. 
He was converted and joined the church in Philadel- 
phia where he was licensed to preach. In 1821 he came 
to Indiana and in the fall of that year he joined the 
Illinois Conference. He was an excellent administrator 
and served many terms as a presiding elder, and was 
exceedingly successful in winning people for the 
church. He was supplied with a great fund of ready 
wit, which he often used as a keen weapon, to the 
confounding of self-conceited skeptics of which the 
frontier seemed to possess an oversupply. On one 
occasion he was preaching in the hall at New Har- 
mony, Indiana, which was open to all denominations 
or to any one who had any message to give. It was 
the custom of a certain Mr. Jennings, one of the resi- 
dents of the community, to rise in the meetings and 
question the preachers. He accordingly rose in his 
place while James Armstrong was preaching and 
asked, "Mr. Armstrong, how do you know you have a 
soul?" Armstrong answered, "I feel it." "Did you 
ever smell, taste, see, or hear your soul," said the 
questioner. "No," said Armstrong. "Then you have 
four senses against you," replied the skeptic. Then 
Armstrong asked his questioner, "Mr. Jennings, did 
you ever have the toothache?" "Yes," said Jennings. 
"Did you ever smell, taste, see, or hear the toothache?" 
asked the preacher. "No," replied Jennings. "Then," 
said Armstrong, "you have four sesnses against 
you." 19 

Joseph Tarkington began his ministry under James 
Armstrong, who in 1824 was the presiding elder of the 
Indiana District of the Missouri Conference. His theo- 
logical schooling consisted in traveling with the pre- 
siding elder for five weeks on the district, where he 

19 Autobiography of Rev. Joseph Tarkiugton, 104. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 41 



observed and learned what he could of the work to 
which he had given his life. One of the first sermons 
which Tarkington attempted to preach was from the 
text, "Prepare to Meet Thy God." He said, "I was 
badly scared but the wife of Rev. J. W. McReynolds 
shouted and helped me out; for I quit when she com- 
menced." One of the first circuits traveled by Tark- 
ington was the old Patoka circuit. "I got as pay for 
that year," he says, "nine dollars and a pair of trou- 
sers." 20 

Calvin Ruter entered the Ohio Conference in 1818 
and was immediately transferred to the Illinois country 
as one of the group of volunteers who were sent into 
the new country. He entered so heartily into his itin- 
erant duties that his health soon gave way under the 
strain. Several times during his ministry he was 
forced to take a supernumerary relation, but with re- 
turning health he re-entered the active ministry and 
continued his work. He became the first secretary of 
the Indiana Conference at its organization in 1832, and 
his name appears conspicuously upon the records of 
the church in Indiana for many years. 

Few of the men who planted Methodism in the 
State of Indiana were educated men in the sense in 
which we now consider that term. Their schooling 
was as a rule very limited, but somehow they became 
efficient interpreters of a larger life, and as a class, 
they developed a keenness of mind, and a readiness 
of wit that has rarely been equaled. They were men of 
few books, but they must have absorbed the few they 
possessed. They always carried some books with them 
on the circuit, in their saddle-bags, and like Wesley 
many of them read and pondered as they rode through 
the woods. The circuit-rider always carried a Bible 

20 Ibid., 91-103. 



42 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



and hymn book, and a discipline, and usually a copy of 
Wesley's Sermons or Fletcher's Appeal.- 1 

The General Conference of 1824 divided the Mis- 
souri and Ohio Conferences, and placed the States of 
Illinois and Indiana into a new Conference, which was 
called the Illinois. The time and place of the session 
of the Missouri Conference for 1824 had been fixed six 
months before the General Conference met, and as the 
time was short, it was decided that for the first year 
the two Conferences should hold their sessions at the 
same time and place. Therefore, in October of the 
year 1824, three bishops, McKendree, Roberts and 
Soule, were present at this joint session of the Confer- 
ences held at Looking Glass Prairie, Missouri. The 
following year, however, the two were permanently 
separated, and the new Illinois Conference met at 
Charlestown, Indiana, in August, 1825. 22 The year 
started with an increase of six new circuits within the 
state, Rushville, Salem, Paoli, Boonville, Vermillion 
and Mt. Vernon. 

This w T as still the days of big circuits. In 1825 
Vincennes circuit included the following preaching 
places : In Knox county, Vincennes, Cane's, Thomas's, 
Snyder's, Terebaugh's, Nicholson's, Hawkins' ; in Davis 
county, Bethel Meeting-house, Stuckey's; Thomas Ha- 
vell's, Widow Stone's, T. Stafford's, Ballon's; in Mar- 
tin county, Hammond's, Clark's, Mount Pleasant, 
Love's, Maner's in Green county, and back again in 
Davis county to Bratton's, William's, Osmon's and 
Florer's. 23 In 1828 the Rushville circuit included Rush- 
ville, county seat of Rush county, Greensburg, county 
seat of Decatur county, Shelbyville, the county seat of 
Shelby county, and went within a mile of Greenfield, 

21 "Autobiography of Joseph Tarkington." Edited by T. A. 
Goodwin, p. 8. 

22 F. C. Holliday, "Indiana Methodism," 63. 

23 Holliday, "Indiana Methodism," 65. For the preaching 
places on the Indianapolis circuit in 1825, 69. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 43 

east along the National road as far as Blue river, and 
formerly it had gone as far north as Newcastle, county 
seat of Henry county. 24 The Fall Creek circuit was or- 
ganized in 1828, embracing the territory around An- 
derson, then called Andersontown. In the minutes of 
the Quarterly meeting for that circuit held in March, 
1829, the following preaching places were given : Pen- 
delton, Andersontown, Montgomery's, Carey's, Wad- 
dell's, Goe's, Smith's, Rector's, Bank's, Fuller's, Black's, 
Reddick's, Garrett's, Jordon's, Sargent's Sibert's Kirk- 
endall's. The sum collected for the quarter was 
$16.6114, and the amount paid Allen Wiley, the pre- 
siding elder, was $2.71, while Charles Bonner, the 
circuit preacher, received, $13.55 1 / 4. 25 

From these lists of preaching places we notice that 
the homes of the people are still, in the majority of 
cases, serving as preaching places. Even the Vin- 
cennes circuit eighteen years after its organization, 
had few meeting houses. CTo give an idea of how the 
new preachers were received on the early circuits, and 
how they made their preaching appointments, I will 
let Joseph Tarkington tell of his reception to the Pa- 
toka circuit, to which he was appointed in 1825, with 
James Garner as senior preacher: "The first place I 
came to on it (the circuit) was Archibald Campbell's, 
a mile from Petersburg. It was night and I called and 
asked to stay. Mrs. Campbell came to the door and 
said, 'No, we are all sick, with no one to put up your 
horse.' I told her I could put up my horse, and she 
said, 'Well, if you can wait on yourself and do without 
supper, you can stay.' And so I did. Mr. Campbell 
had a very high fever at the time, and turned to me, 
when I came in and set down my saddle-bags and said, 
'You are traveling, sir?' I answered 'Yes.' " Mr. Camp- 

24 Western Christian Advocate, July 17, 1846 ; Beggs' "Early 
History of the West and Northwest," p. 70. 

25 From the Quarterly Conference records of the old Fall Creek 
circuit. 



44 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



bell then asked where he was from, and when Tarking- 
ton replied that he was from Charlestown, Mr. Camp- 
bell asked if he knew who their preachers were, and 
on Tarkington's telling the name of the presiding el- 
der, and the senior preacher, the host asked, "Well, 
who is the other one? We had two last year." There- 
upon Tarkington replied that the bishop had sent him. 
Campbell then said, "Why, what can you do?" "Not 
much," Tarkington replied. "Well," said Campbell, 
"wife, give him some cornbread and cabbage to start 
on." Tarkington said, "I started on it after a fifty- 
mile ride that day." "The next day I went on giving 
out appointments for Mr. Garner, and that night got 
to O'Neal's, near the place of Major Robert O'Neal, 
who had sold out and was going to Sangamon county, 
Illinois. I preached there, and after the sermon, Ma- 
jor O'Neal said: 'I will be gone before Mr. Garner 
comes. Who of you will open your house for preach- 
ing?' All was silent for some time, and then Major 
Robb arose and said : 'Rather than have no preaching 
in the neighborhood, I will open my house. I have a 
large bar-room, and there are several sinners at my 
house. If you accept of what I have you are wel- 
come.' So an appointment was given out for preach- 
ing at Major Rcbb's, in two weeks. The Major treated 
the preachers well all that year, and though he never 
made any profession of any religion yet all the female 
members of his family became religious." 26 

The session of the Illinois conference in 1826 met 
at Bloomington, Indiana, and in that year the Indiana 
circuits contained a membership of nearly eleven thou- 
sand. The third session of the conference met at Mt. 
Carmel, Illinois, in September, 1827 ; the fourth session 
of the conference met in Madison, Indiana; the fifth 
session in Edwardsville, Illinois; the sixth session in 
Vincennes ; and the last session of the old Illinois con- 



26 Autobiography of Joseph Tarkington, 104-10G. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 45 



ference was held in Indianapolis, October 4, 1831. 
During these years the circuits were spreading out 
rapidly to the northward, following the population as 
it expanded in that direction. In 1829 the Logansport 
Mission was organized with Stephen R. Beggs as the 
missionary. In 1830 the Indianapolis District appears 
with James Armstrong as the first presiding elder, 
which embraced Indianapolis, Franklin, Fall Creek, 
White Lick, Greencastle, Rockville, Crawfordsville and 
Logansport. This year also Ft. Wayne Mission was or- 
ganized. By 1831 it was found expedient to organize 
another district, farther north and the Crawfordsville 
district was accordingly added. The work in Indiana 
was now included in five districts, the Madison, 
Charlestown, Indianapolis, Crawfordsville and Wa- 
bash. The charges lying in the north part of the state 
in this year were Greencastle, Crawfordsville, Lafay- 
ette, Pine Creek, Rockville, Logansport, South Bend 
and Ft. Wayne. 

The period from 1825 to 1832 is noticeable for the 
changes and readjustments made in the size and loca- 
tion of circuits. The Conference of 1827 divided the 
old Whitewater circuit, and the northern part was 
called Wayne, and Stephen R. Beggs and William Ev- 
ans were the first circuit preachers. Beggs was the 
first Methodist preacher to attempt to hold a two-days' 
meeting in the Quaker stronghold of Richmond, and so 
successful was the meeting that it gave the cause of 
Methodism great impetus there, so that now Meth- 
odists far outnumber the Quakers. 27 The next year 
Beggs was sent to the Crawfordsvilel circuit, and dur- 
ing that year organized a class at Lafayette, consisting 
of twenty members. At this time the Crawfordsville 
circuit reached practically across the state. The main 
preaching places on this circuit were Crawfordsville, 

27 Beggs "Early History of the West and Northwest" (Cin- 
cinnati, 1868). 75-76. 



46 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Fort Wayne, Logansport, Delphi, Lafayette, Attica, 
Portland, Coving-ton and back to Crawfordsville once 
more. 28 The subordinate and intermediate preaching 
places, however, outnumbered the principal ones, so 
that the preacher had to preach from five to seven 
times a week. The Portland here referred to was an 
old town located about half way between Attica and 
Covington, and in the early days was an important 
trading center. The appointments on the Crawfords- 
ville circuit were all on or near the Wabash river, 
which greatly facilitated the traveling of the circuit. 29 

In the fail of 1829 Stephen R. Beggs was sent to 
organize a new circuit, which was known as the Lo- 
gan's Port Mission, and included as the three main 
preaching places, Logansport, Delphi and Lafayette, 
with a number of intermediate places. These newer 
circuits were four weeks' circuits, that is, it took the 
preacher four weeks to make the complete round of 
the circuit, and these seem to have been the largest 
circuits at this period, though from ten to twenty years 
previous, six and 'even eight weeks' circuits were not 
uncommon. The usual size of the circuit at this time 
was two or three weeks. 

It was during the twenties and early thirties that 
the name "Station" made its first appearance among 
the appointments in Indiana. It was in the list of ap- 
pointments for 1825 that Madison station and Salem 
station appeared. 30 A few years later Lawrenceburg 
and Indianapolis became stations, and by 1831 New 
Albany and Bloomington had been added to the num- 
ber. Many of the old circuit preachers greatly op- 
posed the doing aw T ay of the old circuit system, many 
of them maintaining that it was this system, more than 
anything else, that had been responsible for the great 

28 Ibid., 208. 

29 Ibid., 81. 

30 Minutes for 1825. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



47 



progress of Methodism on the frontier. 31 But as the 
towns grew in. population and wealth the demand of 
the membership in these larger places became more and 
more insistent for stationed preachers, and as time 
went on the number of stations greatly increased. 

The founders of Methodism have been criticised 
for their lack of foresight in taking little or no thought 
for the accumulation of property for the church. 32 In 
the early days excellent sites for church buildings 
might have been had for the asking in all the towns, 
yet most of the early meeting houses of the Methodist 
church were built in country districts, and they were 
built with little or no reference to the permanent cen- 
ters of population. As a consequence, when towns be- 
gan to develop many churches were found to be 
wrongly located, and as the country became older and 
the demand for Sabbath preaching compelled the dis- 
continuance of week-day appointments, many of the 
older church buildings ceased to be occupied. They 
were built too close together for Sabbath appointments 
and yet it was always difficult, as at present, to unite 
the small country churches into a common center, for 
the erection of a larger church. Other denominations 
were erecting large church buildings, years before the 
Methodists were able to do so, and it is not an uncom- 
mon thing to find Methodist conferences sitting in Pres- 
byterian and Baptist churches, although numerically 
the Methodists were the largest denominatiton in the 
state. The Methodists, however, began to make im- 
provements in their church buildings, during the latter 
years of the old Illinois conference, and the old log 
churches began to give place to the plain brick or frame 
church, without steeples or bells. 

As the population of Indiana crept northward, 
schemes for internal improvements began to be agi- 

31 Rev. W. C. Smith, "Indiana Miscellany." 

32 Holliday, "Indiana Methodism," 155. 



48 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



tatecl, especially in the matter of road building. The 
earliest roads were state roads, and then came the 
National road. These improvements had their reac- 
tion on church development. The early circuits were 
so large and the settlements so scattered and remote 
from each other, that the improvements in the roads 
not only greatly benefited the preacher, but also the 
people who had to travel long distances to hear him. 
It is an interesting fact, although the reason for it is 
not definitely known, that preaching appointments were 
for 12 o'clock, on all days except the Sabbath. Per- 
haps the reason for this was that everybody could tell 
on a clear day when it was noon by the sun, for there 
were few clocks and fewer watches among the people. 

By 1832 the Methodist membership in Indiana had 
grown to nearly 20,000, and during the twenties there 
had been a number of remarkable revivals in various 
places over the State. Probably the greatest numbers, 
which the preachers succeeded in winning to the 
church, were won as the result of camp-meetings, held 
during the spring and summer months. Almost every 
circuit had somewhere within its bounds a camp-meet- 
ing ground, and the camp-meeting occasion was the 
great occasion looked forward to by all on the circuit. 
It was about the only vacation enjoyed by the people of 
the frontier, and served a social as well as a religious 
purpose. The idea, often expressed, that early Meth- 
odist converts were won in meetings, held in close 
rooms, is absolutely untrue, for the greatest religious 
revivals were conducted out in the open air, and 
every convert, who fell prostrate on the straw, had 
his lungs filled with pure oxygen. In these camp-, 
meetings very often strange and seemingly supernat- 
ural things happened. In the year 1831 a camp-meet- 
ing was held on the Wayne circuit, and during the 
meeting many were converted. Some of the converts 
would begin to laugh, and would continue doing so for 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



49 



hours. After the laughing commenced it seemed prac- 
tically impossible to stop it. 33 Opinion was so divided 
on the matter that the minister preached and advised 
concerning it, from the pulpit, suggesting that those 
who laughed "should not invite the exercise," and those 
who scoffed "should not doubt the sincerity of their 
brethren, for they could not help seeing that the thing 
was involuntary when once commenced." One man 
was almost thrown into the "jerks" of former days by 
resisting the laughing symptoms. It was told that a 
woman in Kentucky laughed all day and all night after 
she was converted. 

Long protracted meetings held during the winter 
months, had not yet come into vogue, though the two 
day meetings were common. Such a meeting was held, 
as has been noted above, on the Wayne circuit in 1828, 
the preacher, Stephen R. Beggs, being assisted by the 
local preachers on the circuit. The meeting was held 
in the school house at Richmond, and created consid- 
erable excitement among the Quaker population, some 
of whom had never seen or heard Methodist preaching. 
There were six or seven converts, and some of them 
desired baptism ; some chose pouring, others sprinkling 
and one asked to be immersed. Accordingly the con- 
gregation, with many curious onlookers, including a 
number of Quakers, went to the banks of Whitewater 
to see the sight. One man was so curious that he 
waded out into the water so that he might get a better 
view of the performance, and so intent was he that he 
made a misstep and with his little boy, whom he had 
carried out with him, he fell backwards into the stream. 
At this some of the onlookers shouted with laughter. 34 
The year on the Wayne circuit was closed with "a 
powerful union camp meeting" and such famous camp- 

33 Western Christian Advocate, October 20, 1846. Article by 
Allen Wiley. 

34 Beggs, "Early History of the West and Northwest," 75-79. 



(4) 



50 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



meeting preachers as John Strange and James B. Fin- 
ley, of Ohio, were present. 

Of all the camp-meeting preachers in Indiana dur- 
ing these years, none were so popular as John Strange. 
One who often heard him preach states that "There 
never has been a man in Indiana who could move and 
stir an audience from center to circumference equal 
to him." 35 On one occasion when preaching on a Sab- 
bath morning at a camp-meeting in Wayne county to a 
vast crowd, in the midst of his sermon he took one of 
his flights of eloquence, which raised a great shout 
from the congregation and lifted the people from their 
seats. Hearing the shouting the crowd on the outside 
of the meeting place rushed in and as they came pour- 
ing down the center aisle, Strange, raising on his 
toes and throwing himself a little back, with his right 
arm extended, pointing with his finger directly toward 
the young men coming in, screamed in a voice that 
made the forest ring, "Here they come now ! My Lord ! 
Shoot them as they come." And one of the young men 
who was among those coming in states that he sank 
down in the nearest seat, unable to move until the ser- 
mon was finished. 

The eloquence of these pioneer preachers was not 
the kind learned in the schools from the study of books, 
and there is no better way to account for it than to let 
John Strange, this prince of circuit-riders and west- 
ern orators, tell of the school in which he learned it. 
His Alma Mater, said he, was "Brush College, more 
ancient though less pretentious than Yale or Harvard 
or Princeton. Here I graduated and I love her mem- 
ory still. Her academic groves are the boundless for- 
ests and prairies of these western wilds; her Pierian 
springs are the gushing fountains from rocks and 
mountain fastnesses ; her Arcadian groves and Orphic 

35 Western Christian Advocate, June 23, 1S5S. Article by W. 
C. Smith on "John Strange at Camp-Meetings." 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 51 



songs are the wild woods, and the birds of every color 
and every song, relieved now and then with the bass 
hootings of the night owl and the weird treble of the 
whip-poor-will; her curriculum is the philosophy of 
nature and the mysteries of redemption ; her library is 
the word of God, the discipline and the hymn book, sup- 
plemented with trees and brooks, and stones, all of 
which are full of wisdom and sermons and speeches; 
and her parchments of literary honors are the horse 
and saddle-bags." 36 

In the sixteen years since Indiana had become a 
State many influences had been at work developing the 
new commonwealth from a pioneer district to a well 
organized and prosperous condition, and by 1832 it 
seemed expedient that Indiana should be set apart into 
a separate conference. There were nearly 20,000 
Methodists within the State, and accordingly the Gen- 
eral Conference of 1832 decided that it was for the 
best interest of both Indiana and Illinois Methodism 
to form a separate conference to include all the sta- 
tions and circuits within the State of Indiana, and a 
strip of territory in the southern part of Michigan. 
With the formation of the Indiana conference, Indiana 
Methodism begins a new and larger chapter in its his- 
tory. In a sense the pioneer days are passed and the 
church is firmly established in the new commonwealth. 

36 J. C. Smith, "Early Methodism in Indiana," 38-39. 



CHAPTER III. 



THE OLD INDIANA CONFERENCE, 1832-1844. 

If any single period in the history of Indiana Meth- 
odism stands out more conspicuously than any other, 
it is the period from 1832 to 1844, the years of the life 
of the old Indiana Conference. These are notable years 
because of the outstanding leadership ; when such men 
as Allen Wiley, James Havens, Matthew Simpson and 
Edward R. Ames were in their prime. These were 
years also of conspicuous progress in the church 
throughout the State. When the Indiana Conference 
met for its first session it had a membership of thirty- 
nine preachers, five presiding elders' districts, and the 
church membership in the state numbered 19,853 ; in 
1844, the year marking the close of the period, there 
were 206 preachers, sixteen districts and 67,118 mem- 
bers. For many, however, these years in the history 
of Indiana Methodism are rendered the more interest- 
ing because they mark the inception and the founding 
of Indiana Asbury University, now DePauw Univer- 
sity. The old Indiana Conference and the founding of 
this next to the oldest living Methodist College in the 
old Northwest, are inseparably connected, and the his- 
tory of both during these early years belong together. 

The first session of the Indiana Conference met in 
New Albany on October 17, 1832, Bishop Joshua Soule 
presiding. Eighteen members were present at the first 
roll call, and responded to their names in the follow- 
ing order : Allen Wiley, Joseph Tarkington, John Kern, 
Daniel Anderson, Samuel C. Cooper, George Locke, 
James Havens, Asa Beck, Charles Bonner, John T. 
Johnson, William Shanks, C. W. Ruter, James Arm- 
strong, William H. Smith, Enoch G. Wood, James Scott, 

1 See Minutes for 1S32. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



53 



Richard S. Robinson and Boyd Phelps. C. W. Ruter 
was elected secretary of the Conference, which posi- 
tion he held continuously until 1838, when ill health 
compelled him to give it up. The Conference convened 
on a Wednesday and adjourned on the following Mon- 
day morning. Among the items of important business 
transacted was the adoption of by-laws for the govern- 
ing of the Conference, and these by-laws, with slight 
change, were continued in force throughout the twelve 
years of the life of the old Indiana Conference. 1 

A collection was taken up for John Strange, whose 
health had recently given way, and like most Methodist 
preachers, he had little of this world's goods to tide 
him over such a crisis. This collection helped to pur- 
chase a house and lot in Indianapolis for him, where 
he died a few months later, December 2, 1832. It is 
doubtful if there has ever been a Methodist preacher in 
Indiana more universally loved than John Strange, 
and for years after his death his name is frequently 
found on the lips of those who admired and loved him, 
both among the ministry and laymen. 

An interesting case which came before the Confer- 
ence in 1832, was that of Alfred W. Arrington, who 
was reported by his presiding elder to have withdrawn 
from the church, "having become skeptical in his 
mind/' but that since his withdrawal he had become 
thoroughly convinced of the truth of Christianity, and 
deeply deplored his fall, and now begged to be restored 
to his former standing in the church. A motion was 
made that he be restored, but it was lost ; the next day 
the motion was reconsidered and he was restored to the 
church. Arrington was a young preacher of great 
promise, and was reputed to have been one of the most 
eloquent of the young preachers in the State, but as 
one of the old preachers observed, his head had become 
dizzy through flattery, and he soon fell again, and 
finally he left the ministry and went to Arkansas where 
he became a successful lawyer. 

One of the things which continually strikes a read- 



54 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



er's notice, as he goes through the minutes for these 
years, is the large number of men who are refused 
admittance to the Conference. The journal records 
the names of those admitted, and then states that 
so-and-so were not admitted, giving no reason, how- 
ever, for the action, though the statement generally 
follows that the presiding elders have leave to employ 
them if they think it necessary. One of the chief rea- 
sons for the refusal of the Conference to accept preach- 
ers was because they were married. It was a rule of 
the church, "as inexorable as death," that no man, no 
matter what his age or circumstances, should marry 
until he had traveled four years. 2 This rule was doubt- 
less a wise one when it was adopted, but when the ex- 
treme frontier conditions had passed, as was true in 
Indiana by 1832, the enforcement of the rule led to 
both injustice to candidates for the ministry and a 
great loss to the church itself. 

Another rule of the church which made marriage 
for the young itinerant very difficult, and romantic love 
affairs next to impossible, was the rule which required 
the unmarried minister to consult his brethren on the 
subject, before he was to mention love or marriage 
to the young lady of his choice. "The rule did not say 
what brethren were to be consulted, but the presiding 
elder always assumed that they were ex-officio entitled 
to be consulted." Strange as it may seem to us in 
these days every circuit seemed to have somewhere in 
its bounds a "pious young sister, every way qualified 
to become a first-class wife for a preacher;" . . . 
and willing to endure all the hardships of the itiner- 
ancy if they might providentially be called to it." To 
make the situation more embarrassing to the young 
preacher, he had no home on the circuit except where 
his saddle-bags happened to be, and frequently he was 

2 Autobiography of Joseph Tarkington, 28. 
Western Christian Advocate, July 14, 1858. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA, 



55 



compelled to stay at the home of one of these self-sac- 
rificing young sisters, and often perhaps her home was 
the only stopping place for that appointment, and 
thus he was brought face to face with her once every 
four weeks. "Common politeness required him to be 
courteous to all, and the instincts of a gentleman would 
lead him to be respectful to the grown daughter, who 
never failed to be in her best attire and on her best 
behavior during his stay, and often at the expense to 
him of many an hour that he ought to have spent with 
Watson's Institutes or Wesley's Sermons, whether he 
preferred it or not." 

In one such home in the early thirties was an ac- 
complished daughter who had favorably impressed 
three young preachers, and each determined to take the 
first opportunity of consulting the presiding elder on 
the subject of matrimony. Accordingly all three went 
to a camp-meeting, which was held near the center of 
the district, in which they all had circuits. Neither 
knew why the others were there. One obtained an 
early interview. He began by telling the elder that his 
four years of celibacy was about up, and that he had 
been making the matter of marriage a subject of 
prayer, and the Lord had indicated to him that he 
ought to marry. The elder inquired who was the 
happy girl, and received the reply, "Cora — — - — "A 
splendid girl," said the elder, "and will make any man 
a good wife." And soon the young preacher was on 
his faithful horse speeding to Cora's home to begin 
his courtship. 

Soon after this young preacher number two drew 
the presiding elder to one side and made practically the 
same speech and received the same reply and the same 
indorsement of Cora. Later in the same day preacher 
number three had a hearing, making a similar speech, 
and winding up as the others had done with Cora. To 
him, however, the presiding elder replied: "Now see 

3 Tarkington Autobiography, 29-32. 



56 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



here, my young brother, there must be some mistake 

somewhere. Cora is a splendid girl : but you 

are the third man who has today said the Lord had 
indicated her for a wife. Somebody must have mis- 
understood the Lord." :j 

Two other items of business transacted by the con- 
ference of 1332 are of importance. On the first day of 
the conference a committee was appointed, consisting 
of Allen Wiley, C. W. Ruter and James Armstrong, to 
consider the propriety of establishing a literary insti- 
tution under the patronage of the Conference. The 
committee presented their report, recommending that 
the conference establish such an institution, and that 
the presiding elders collect all the information possible 
as to possible sites and means of raising money. The 
journal also records two bequests which had been made 
to the Methodist Episcopal church in Indiana, one by 
Col. James Paxton and the other by Isaac Swearingin, 
and Allen Wiley and James Armstrong were appointed 
agents to receive the bequests for the conference. This 
was the beginning of the Preacher's Aid Society, of 
the Indiana Conference, though the society was not 
formally organized until 1834. 

When the appointments were read at the close of 
the first session of the Indiana Conference, the State 
was divided into five districts, Madison, presided over 
by James Havens; Charlestown district, William 
Shanks, presiding elder; Indianapolis district had for 
its elder, Allen Wiley; Jarnes L. Thompson was ap- 
pointed to the Vincennes district and James Armstrong 
was given a missionary district. There were sixty 
preachers appointed to some forty charges. The mis- 
sionary district included Upper Wabash mission, St. 
Joseph and South Bend mission, Kalamazoo mission, 
Fort Wayne mission and LaPorte mission. 4 

The second session of the Indiana conference met 
at Madison, in October, 1833, Bishop Soule again pre- 

4 Minutes of Conferences, Vol. II (1S29-1S39), 173-175. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



57 



siding. An increase of membership was reported of 
3,582, giving a total membership for the state of 
23,617. Resolutions were adopted favoring the estab- 
lishment of a periodical at Cincinnati, and the next 
year the Western Christian Advocate began its honor- 
able career at Cincinnati, with Charles Eliott as the 
first editor. The missionary district was this year 
called the Northwestern district, over which James 
Armstrong again presided. 5 The third session of the 
conference met at Centerville, on October 22, 1834, 
Bishop Roberts presiding. This year two new districts 
were added, the Crawfordsville and the LaPorte dis- 
tricts, making seven in all, and an increase of 1,684 
members reported. This year the death of three of 
the veteran preachers was reported, George Locke, 
James Armstrong and Nehemiah Griffith, all of whom 
had done valiant service for the church. 6 

In 1835 the conference met at Lafayette, Bishop 
Roberts again presiding. The increase in membership 
for the year was only 263, but as the whole church 
went behind near 2,000 this year the gain in Indiana 
was creditable. At this conference, General confer- 
ence delegates were elected in the following order, C. 
W. Ruter, Allen Wiley, James Havens and J. L. Thomp- 
son, with Aaron Wood and William Shanks as reserve 
delegates. 7 The next year, 1836, the conference met in 
Indianapolis, and Allen Wiley, until the arrival of 
Bishop Roberts, was elected president, pro tempore. 
This year there was an increase of 2,616, and a class 
of twenty-four was admitted on trial into the confer- 
ence. A new district was added which was named the 
Centerville, making eight districts in all, the new dis- 
trict being located in the northeastern section of the 
State. Among the leading questions discussed at this 
conference was the location, organization and endow- 

5 See Minutes for 1833. 

6 Minutes for 1S34. 

7 Minutes for 1835. 

8 Minutes for 1836. Western Christian Advocate, May 19, 1858. 



58 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



ment of the new university, which the Conference had 
determined to establish. 8 

No sooner had Indiana been set apart as a separate 
conference, than there began to be an agitation for the 
establishment of an institution of learning under the 
control of the Methodist Episcopal church. On the 
first day of the first session of the Indiana Conference, 
which met in New Albany, in October, 1832, a com- 
mittee consisting of Allen Wiley, C. W. Ruter and 
James Armstrong was appointed to consider and re- 
port on the advisability of establishing such an insti- 
tution. In their report they state, "We therefore think 
that seminaries and colleges under good literary and 
moral regulations are of incalculable benefit to our 
country, and that a good conference seminary would 
be of great and growing utility to our people." They 
further state "When we examine the state of the liter- 
ary institutions of our country, we find a majority of 
them are in the hands of other denominations (whether 
rightfully or otherwise, we do not take it upon our- 
selves to determine) — whose doctrine in many respects 
we consider incompatible with the doctrines of revela- 
tion, so that our people are unwilling (and we think 
properly so) to send their sons to those institutions. 
Therefore we think it very desirable to have an insti- 
tution under our own control from which we can ex- 
clude all doctrines which we deem dangerous; though 
at the same time we do not wish to make it so sectarian 
as to exclude or in the smallest degree repel the sons 
of our fellow citizens from the same." 

The committee closed their report by recommending 
that the presiding elders of the various districts be "re- 
quired to collect all the information in their power in 
reference to an eligible site, and the means to build, 
and present the same to the next conference." 9 

At the session of the conference in 1833, just be- 
fore the close of the session, a committee was again 
appointed to "make inquiries relative to the establish- 

9 Minutes for 1832. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 59 



ment of a conference seminary," and on this commit- 
tee were appointed A. Wiley, James Armstrong, James 
Havens, James L. Thompson and William Shanks. 10 

Although it was felt by many members of the con- 
ference that it was desirable to have a college in the 
State under the control of the Methodist church, yet it 
was thought if the Methodist church could receive an 
equitable share of privileges in the State University 
at Bloomington, that it would be better, at least for 
several years, for the church to actively support that 
institution, rather than found one of its own. 11 Ac- 
cordingly it was resolved, at the session of the Con- 
ference in 1834 to petition the State Legislature on the 
subject, and a form of a memorial was prepared by a 
committee of the conference. In the memorial it is 
stated, "We would impress it upon your honorable body 
that literature belongs to no one denomination of per- 
sons, and that no one exclusively, should be allowed to 
possess the keys that unlock her treasures. We appre- 
hend that the funds of our State College were designed 
by their munificent donors to patronize science and 
advocate the cause of general literature and not of re- 
ligious sects, and should it be divested from its original 
design (directly or indirectly) the donors are despoiled 
of a rich inheritance, and the legacy itself betrayed to 
a very questionable purpose. . . . We look in its 
charter (State College) and read that the places of 
president, professors and tutors are open, soliciting 
capacity to occupy them without regard to religious 
professions or doctrines. We then turn our eyes on the 
faculty from the organization of the Institution up to 
this hour and we see one common hue, one common 
religion characterize every member, as if capacity and 
fitness were combined to one church and one set of 
religious opinions." The memorial did not ask that 

10 Ibid., 1833. 

11 Article by F. C. Holliday on "Indiana Asbury University," 
Western Christian Advocate, February 17, 1858. 



60 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



the State College be put either in whole or in part 
under the control of the Methodist Church but they 
simply asked that the trustees of the college be elected 
for a definite term of years and that vacancies, as they 
occurred, should be filled by the Legislature and not by 
the remaining members of the board of trustees, as 
had been the custom heretofore. 12 

This memorial was signed by the members of the 
Conference, and six other similar memorials were pre- 
sented to the state Legislature numerously signed, all 
of which were referred to the committee on education, 
but for some reason the committee never took any ac- 
tion in reference to them. 13 

The three oldest institutions of higher learning, 
founded in Indiana, with the exception of the old Uni- 
versity of Vincennes, were Hanover and Franklin Col- 
leges, and Indiana University. The University of Vin- 
cennes had been founded in 1806 and the national gov- 
ernment had endowed it with a township of land, but 
its life was never vigorous, and it soon died and its 
endowment was taken for the present State University. 
The State University began its career in 1820 as a 
State Seminary, and it received in 1822 the endowment 
belonging to the Vincennes University. In 1828 it be- 
came Indiana College, and in 1838 Indiana College be- 
came Indiana University. The Baptists in 1834 began 
an agitation for a college under their control, and the 
next year, 1835, Franklin College was founded. The 
Presbyterians of Salem Presbytery, as early as 1825 
were talking of founding a school, and in 1826 the 
Presbytery arranged with a certain John Finley Crow, 
who had been conducting a boarding school at South 
Hanover to enlarge his school into a classical school, 
and this was opened in 1827. 14 

For a number of years previous to the founding of 

12 Minutes for 1834. 

13 House Journal, 1834, 82, 148, 155, 228, 23G, 293, 36S. 
14Esarey, History of Indiana, 291-293. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



61 



Indiana Asbury University the Methodists had com- 
plained that the State College was under the control of 
the Presbyterian church. This was not alone true of 
the State College in Indiana but of Miami University 
at Oxford, Ohio, and the same accusation was also 
lodged against the State University of Kentucky. The 
Methodists considered the Presbyterians as extremely 
arrogant, assuming themselves to be the "only compe- 
tent educators of the people," and as a result of the 
Presbyterian control of the State colleges in the West, 
but few young men from Calvinistic families were en- 
rolled as students in the State Institutions. 15 The Meth- 
odists had four chief complaints against the Indiana 
State College: (1) The Institution was regarded as 
belonging to the Presbyterian Church, and was listed 
among Presbyterian colleges. (2) The religious beliefs 
of Methodist students were not respected. (3) Efforts 
were made to convince the public that none but Pres- 
byterians were competent to teach in higher institu- 
tions of learning; and (4) Under the existing system 
no Methodist could be represented on the board of 
trustees, although the Methodists were the most nu- 
merous religious sect in the State. 10 

One writer in the Western Christian Advocate, in 
1835, signing himself "Indiana Itinerant," urges the 
establishment of a Methodist Seminary, as Hanover 
had already been started under Presbyterian auspices, 
and the State College was alleged to be under Presby- 
terian influence. 17 Another article later in the same 
year pleads for the starting of a Methodist College in 
Indiana. This writer says that there are many Meth- 
odist parents who would prefer to have their children 
educated under Methodist influence, but are compelled 
to send them to Bloomington or Hanover both of which 
are under Presbyterian influence. He, however, wants 

15 Holliday, "Indiana Methodism," 317-318. 

16 F. C. Holliday, "Life and Times of Allen Wiley," 71-72. 

17 Western Christian Advocate, January 9, 1835. 

18 Ibid., June 5, 1835. 



62 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



it distinctly understood that he does not favor a Theo- 
logical Seminary. 1 8 At this period the opposition to 
Theological Seminaries among Methodists was strong, 
even the editor of the Western Christian Advocate op- 
posing their establishment in an editorial in which he 
points out that they are still in the experimental stage, 
that they would be dangerous to unanimity of opinion, 
and he also argues that literary institutions are enough, 
and that the tendency of Theological Seminaries would 
be to localize the itineracy. 10 The first committee on 
education appointed by the Indiana Conference in 1832, 
embodied in their report this statement, in regard to 
Theological Seminaries : "We are aware that when a 
Conference Seminary is named some of our preachers 
and many of our people suppose we are about to estab- 
lish a manufactory in which preachers are to be made. 
But nothing is farther from our views, for we are fully 
of Mr. Berneges' opinion, who, when comparing minis- 
ters to pens, observes that although the Seminaries 
have been trying to make pens for hundreds of years, 
they will not write until God nibs them." 20 

Failing in their efforts to secure a reform in the 
manner of controlling the State University, the con- 
ference turned their thoughts earnestly toward the es- 
tablishment of a literary institution. Accordingly at 
the session of the Conference in 1835 which met at 
Lafayette a plan was agreed upon for the founding of 
a university. The committee on education reported an 
elaborate plan for raising money, creating a capital 
stock of an indefinite number of shares of $100 each, 
any person holding one share of stock having the privi- 
lege of sending one student for six years to the univer- 
sity. The sum of $10,000 was to endow a professor- 
ship, and the preachers and especially the presiding 
elders were to act as agents to get the plan started. 
Also provision was made for finding a suitable location 

19 Ibid., January 9, 1835. 

20 Minutes of Indiana Conference, 1832. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



63 



for the university, the plan being to start a competition 
between two or more towns in bidding for the Institu- 
tion. 21 When the conference of 1836 convened repre- 
sentatives from several competing towns were present, 
Rockville, Putnamville, Greencastle, Lafayette, Madi- 
son and Indianapolis being the principal competitors. 
Rockville presented a subscription of $20,000, Putnam- 
vile about the same; Indianapolis and Madison, $10,- 
000; Greencastle, $25,000. 22 Calvin Fletcher, repre- 
senting Indianapolis, did not labor hard for the Insti- 
tution, saying that it was not good for boys to be away 
from home in as large a place as Indianapolis would be 
some day. General Howard represented Rockville, 
and in his speech admitted that there were some chills 
and fever at Rockville, whereupon Mr. Fletcher ad- 
mitted that some even died at Indianapolis, but Dr. 
Cowgiil, representing Greencastle, said, "People never 
die at Greencastle, although for convenience they have 
a cemetery there." 23 Two ballots were all that was 
needed to determine that Greencastle should be the seat 
of the Indiana Asbury University, the name of the Uni- 
versity having been decided by the Conference at their 
session in 1835. 

Greencastle at that time contained a population of 
about five hundred, the town having been laid out about 
ten years previous. It was therefore very new and very 
rough in appearance. The streets were without grad- 
ing or sidewalks, except about the public square, and 
mud was a very abundant article for at least six months 
in the year. It was exceedingly fortunate for Green- 
castle that it secured the location of the college, for 
had it failed, the county seat would probably have 
been moved to Putnamville, and the influence given to 

21 Minutes for 1835. 

22 Western Christian Advocate, February 17, 1858. Article on 
Indiana Asbury University, by F. C. Holliday. Dr. Geo. L. Curtin, 
in his semi-centennial address delivered June 21, 1887, gives some- 
what different figures (Historical Addresses, 12). 

23 Autobiography of Joseph Tarkington, pp. 131-132. 



64 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



the town by the University made it a point on the In- 
dianapolis and Terre Haute Railroad and later gained 
for it also the New Albany and Michigan City Railroad. 

The Conference then appointed a committee to draft 
a charter to be submitted to the Legislature at its next 
session, which was done, and the charter was passed 
substantially as drawn up by the committee. The fol- 
lowing original board of trustees was then elected: 
Robert R. Roberts, John Cowgill, A. C. Stevenson, W. 
H. Thornburg, William Talbott, Rees Hardesty, Joseph 
Crow, John W. Osborn, Thomas Robinson, Hiram E. 
Talbott, James Montgomery, Daniel Sigler, Isaac Mat- 
kins, T. W. Fletcher, Gamaliel Taylor, Martin M. Ray, 
Isaac C. Elston, S. S. Leanard, W. W. Hitt, James A. 
Wright, T. A. Howard and Jacob Hass. 

The first meeting of the board of trustees was held 
on the first Monday of March, 1837, at which it was 
decided to open a preparatory department as soon as 
a suitable teacher could be secured. Later Rev. Cyrus 
Nutt, a graduate of Alleghany College, was elected 
principal of the preparatory department at a salary of 
$400.00 In due time the new principal arrived, and 
on the 5th of June, 1837, the school was opened in a 
room in the old town seminary building. Five pupils, 
barefooted and without coats, appeared — 0. Badger, 
O. H. P. Ash, William Stevenson, Osborn and S. Tay- 
lor, all of whom resided in Greencastle except Badger. 24 

On the 20th of June was the day appointed for the 
laying of the corner-stone of the college building. The 
little town was full of people, who had come from far 
and near, to witness the impressive ceremonies. At 
9 a. m. a sermon was preached in the Methodist Church 
by Rev. Hooper Crews of Illinois. At 11 o'clock a pro- 
cession was formed and they proceeded to the site of 
the University where a speech was made over the cor- 
ner-stone by Calvin Fletcher, Esq., of Indianapolis. 

24 Western Christian Advocate, February 17, 1S5S. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 65 



This speech was heard by few, for it was delivered in a 
low voice. The procession then proceeded to a grove 
on the southwest border of the town where seats and 
platform had been erected for the occasion. On the 
platform were Rev. Alien Wiley, James Havens, C. W. 
Ruter, and E. R. Ames, and a. few other of the leading 
ministers of the conference. Prayer was offered by 
Rev. E. R. Ames, after which Rev. H. B. Bascom, re- 
puted to be one of the greatest orators of the west, gave 
an address, which lasted two hours. The day was very 
chilly, and Dr. Bascom asked to speak with his hat on. 
During an interlude some rain and a little snow fell, 
and the speaker sat down a few minutes and while he 
was seated a Hoosier who had provided himself with a 
roll of ginger bread, stepped up behind the speaker's 
stand and pulling Dr. Bascom by the coat, broke off a 
piece of his ginger loaf and offered it to him, saying, 
"Mister, as you have been speaking hard, you must be 
hungry, here take a piece." Dr. Bascom thanked him 
kindly, but refused the refreshment, saying he had no 
occasion. 25 

The college proper was organized in September, 
1837, and the Trustees elected Rev. Cyrus Nutt, Pro- 
fessor of Languages, and Acting President. In the 
spring of 1838 Rev. J. W. Weakley was appointed Pre- 
ceptor of the Preparatory department. Rev. Matthew 
Simpson was elected President in 1839, and he arrived 
and took charge in May of that year. The first cata- 
logue was published at the close of that term and the 
number of students recorded there is 140. In the fall 
of 1840 the first commencement was held and Presi- 
dent Simpson was inaugurated. 26 The charge to the 
President was delivered by Governor Wallace, and the 
President delivered an inaugural address. The new 

25 Western Christian Advocate. February 17. 1858: Holliday, 
•'Indiana Methodism." 320. 

26 Crooks "Life of Simpson." 

(5) 



(>(> CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



building was completed and the college was safely 
launched upon its long and useful career. The first 
graduates were John Wheeler of Bellefontaine, Ohio ; 
T. A. Goodwin of Brookville, Indiana, and James Mad- 
dox of Crawfordsville. In 1841 W. C. Larrabee was 
elected to the chair of Mathematics and Natural Sci- 
ence, and there are no two names in the history of 
Education in Indiana more important than Cyrus Nutt 
and W. C. Larrabee. 

Cyrus Nutt remained a Professor in Indiana As- 
bury University until 1843 when he resigned and took 
an appointment in the Indiana conference and was sta- 
tioned at Bloomington. In the fall of 1848 he returned 
to the University but the next year he was elected to 
the presidency of Fort Wayne Female College, where 
he remained but one year, going from that institution 
to the presidency of Whitewater College at Centerville. 
In this position he remained for a number of years 
when he again entered the ministry, serving as Presid- 
ing Elder of the Richmond district. Again in 1857 he 
returned to Indiana Asbury University, this time serv- 
ing as Professor of Mathematics; he was elected also 
Vice-President and for nearly two years he was the 
acting president. 27 In 1860 he was elected President 
of the Indiana State University and was inaugurated 
on June 7, 1861, the great war Governor, Oliver P. 
Morton, making the address of investiture. He served 
as President of the State University for fifteen years, 
resigning in 1875. 28 It is extremely interesting that 
Cyrus Nutt, the first member of the faculty of Indiana 
Asbury University and a Methodist preacher, should 
serve as President of the State University during the 
years of the Civil War. 

W. C. Larrabee was a native of Maine, and a gradu- 

27 Holliday, Indiana Methodism, 281-285. 

28 T. A. Wylie, Indiana University. Its History from 1820 to 
1890, 71-81. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 67 



ate of Bowdoin College in the class of 1828, and when 
Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., was opened 
he was appointed tutor and was the first actual teacher 
in that honorable institution. In 1840 Dr. Larrabee 
was a delegate to the General Conference, which met 
at Baltimore, and there he met Dr. Simpson, then presi- 
dent of Indiana Asbury University, and as a result of 
this acquaintance he was elected to the Chair of 
Mathematics and Natural Science in the new Univer- 
sity. Dr. Larrabee remained at Indiana Asbury Uni- 
versity until 1852, when he was elected superintendent 
of public instruction, and was the first the state ever 
had, and while in that office he laid the foundation for 
Indiana's present school system. 29 

The year 1836 had been one of great prosperity in 
Indiana, as far as the Church was concerned. There 
was an increase of 2,616 members during the year, and 
the circuits reported great increase in the interest of 
the people in religious matters. The preacher on the 
Vevay circuit writes: The Lord of the harvest hath 
begun to revive His work on Vevay circuit. The last 
two rounds on the circuit I have taken into the Church 
thirty-four members and my colleague has taken in 
several, and we have had a good many hopeful conver- 
sions. The membership are waking up from their long 
sleep and are trimming their lamps." 30 The preacher 
on the Bedford circuit reports 129 received into the 
Church from that circuit. 31 Richard Hargrave re- 
ported from Fort Wayne, "The cause is marching for- 
ward through much opposition in this far North- 
west," 32 while the minister from the Noblesville circuit 
writes that when he came to the circuit in October, 
1835, there were twelve preaching places and not a 
meeting house on the circuit, but that during the year 

29 Holliday, 285-289. 

30 Western Christian Advocate, February 12, 1836. 

31 Ibid., October 21, 1836. 

32 Ibid., July 22, 1836. 



68 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



money had been raised for the building of a meeting- 
house at Noblesville, which was to cost $700, and that 
there had been an increase of 103 members on the cir- 
cuit. {:{ During this year Elkhart circuit was organized 
with the following preaching places : Elkhart, Conley's, 
Warner's, Shelby's, Goshen, Cornell's, Elkhart Prairie, 
Woods', Hawpatch, Burton's, Little Elkhart, Shady 
Creek, Cross' and White Plains." 1 Successful camp- 
meetings were numerous during the year, on many 
of the circuits. On the Danville circuit 113 joined the 
Church as the result of a camp-meeting and another 
successful camp-meeting added 84 to the Church on the 
Paris circuit. 35 William M. Dailey, writing from the 
Bloomington station in the midst of a revival meeting, 
says, "A considerable number have been added to the 
Church, but the crowning feature of this meeting is 
the number of clear and powerful conversions. * * * 
The Lord is at work, sinners are shaken, the trembling 
throne of infidelity is falling, saints are on the wing 
and children are born to God. Hallelujah, Amen!" 3H 
At a camp-meeting held near Indianapolis during the 
early fall of this year, a desperate character by the 
name of David Buckhart attempted to breakup the 
meeting, but James Havens, the Presiding Elder, who 
was on the ground, conquered the hoodlum, after a 
desperate struggle, and he was confined in the county 
jail. As Buckhart entered the jail door, he was heard 
to say, "Has it come to this, that David Buckhart has 
been whipped by a Methodist preacher." 87 

Two resolutions passed by the Indiana conference 
during the thirties, bearing on the liquor and tobacco 
questions, are of interest. In 1835 a resolution was 
adopted requesting the General Conference at its next 

33 Ibid., September 16, 1830. 
34Holliday, "Indiana Methodism," 113. 

35 Western Christian Advocate, November 25. 1836. 

36 Ibid., September 23, 1836. 

37 J. C. Smith, "Early Methodism in Indiana." 68-70. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 69 

session to restore to the discipline Mr. Wesley's original 
rule on the subject of ardent spirits. This rule pro- 
hibits "drunkenness, buying or selling of spirituous 
liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme 
necessity." 38 For some reason this rule had early been 
abandoned by the Methodist Church in America, and 
at this time only ministers were forbidden the buying 
or selling of liquors, members being permitted its sale, 
provided they permitted no disorderly conduct on their 
premises. 39 It was not an uncommon thing for Meth- 
odists, in good standing, to run distilleries and deal in 
liquor. On one occasion Joseph Tarkington was con- 
ducting a "speaking meeting" on the Centerville cir- 
cuit, "when a well-to-do Methodist farmer and dis- 
tiller arose to speak. He began by saying, 'I have been 
governed by two spirits; one is the good-spirit, that 
prompts me to be good and to do good. The other 
is — Here Tarkington called out Whiskey!' at the 
top of his voice. 'No,' said the distiller, who was then 
quite under the influence of his home-made goods, as 
he often was, 'No ; nobody ever saw me drunk.' 'Some 
people never get drunk — it always stands up in them,' 
replied Tarkington, and the half drunken Methodist 
distiller took his seat." This rude treatment evidently 
was the thing the Methodist whiskey dealer needed, for 
within six months he abandoned his distillery, and 
became a total abstainer. 40 Dram drinking was not 
uncommon among the preachers themselves, though it 
had been much more practiced in previous years than 
it was in the thirties and forties. Peter Cartwright, in 
his account of his trip to the General Conference of 
1824, held in Baltimore, in the company of Jesse 
Walker, Samuel Thompson and a certain F. S., says 
that at every stop F. S. and Walker called for spirits. 

38 Minutes of Indiana Conference, 1835. The Ohio Conference 
passed a similar resolution at their session in 1835. 

39 Western Christian Advocate. September 18. 1835. 

40 Tarkington, Autobiography, 26-27. 



70 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Cartwright and Thompson protested, but the other 
two preachers defended the practice, whereupon Cart- 
wright and Thompson threatened to quit their com- 
pany if they did not stop using liquor for this time at 
least. 41 

In the early pioneer days the drinking of whiskey 
"in family and social circles was considered harmless 
and allowable sociabilities. It was almost universally 
the custom for preachers, in common with others, to 
take drams, and if a man would not have it in his 
family, his harvest, his house raisings, log rollings, 
weddings and so on, he was considered parsimonious 
and unsociable ; and many, even professors of Christian- 
ity, would not help a man if he did not have spirits and 
treat the company." 42 About 1825, however, a great 
temperance movement began, and agitation in favor of 
temperance spread all over the country. In 1835 a 
National Temperance convention was held, and the 
various states held state temperance conventions, in all 
of which the Methodists were active, and as a result of 
the movement several states adopted prohibition laws, 
and the drinking of liquor became much less common 
than before. 48 

The Indiana conference at its session in 1836 passed 
a resolution "that during the session of this confer- 
ence none of its members is to use tobacco or defile 
the floor by spitting, and every brother is particularly 
requested to avoid it." From the text of this resolu- 
tion we may infer that tobacco using, particularly the 
chewing of tobacco, was common among the preachers. 
The Western Christian Advocate, in one of its issues in 
1835, prints a clipping from another religious paper, in 
which the writer protests against tobacco spitting min- 
isters, and gives as an instance, one young preacher 

41 Peter Cartwright, Autobiography, 212-214. 

42 Ibid., 212. 

43 Fish, "The Development of American Nationality,"" 287-289. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



71 



who "spat as often as once in two minutes during his 
whole sermon, so that the pulpit floor was as filthy as 
a stable when he finished his discourse." 44 

The sixth session of the Indiana Conference met at 
New Albany on October 27, 1837, with Bishop Soule 
as the presiding officer. The reports of the preachers 
from their circuits showed a gain of 3,140 in the mem- 
bership, making the total for the conference of 31,058 ; 
and 116 preachers received appointments. This year 
there were four agents appointed for Indiana Asbury 
University, William Shanks, S. C. Cooper, William M. 
Dailey and John A. Brouse, the first agents, John C. 
Smith and Aaron Wood, having been appointed the 
year previous. 45 At this session of the conference one 
man was refused admittance on the ground of his poor 
family government and the deficient moral education 
of his children. 46 At this session John Ray and S. L. 
Robinson were reported to have died during the year. 
John Ray was born in Virginia, in 1768, and began 
preaching in Kentucky in 1790, but marrying soon 
afterwards, he located, as most of the early frontier 
Methodist preachers did, when they married. In 1819 
he re-entered the ministry in Kentucky and served cir- 
cuits there until he was superannuated, when he was 
transferred to the Indiana conference, in order to be 
near his son, Edwin Ray. 47 John Ray was always 
much interested in the negroes and was a strong anti- 
slavery advocate, and the last act of his life was to 
give $50.00 to the American Colonization Society, and 
$50.00 for the redemption of James Thompson, a slave, 
who understood the Wyandotte tongue and who had 

44 Western Christian Advocate, November 13, 1835, from "The 
Religious Herald." The Conference of 1843 passed the resolu- 
tion, "Resolved, That by precept and example, we will use our 
influence to prevent the use of tobacco in our houses of worship." 

45 Minutes of Conferences, Vol. II (1829-1839), 509-510. 

46 Western Christian Advocate, May 26, 1858. 

47 Minutes of Conference, Vol. II, 572. 



72 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



been acting as an interpreter in the Methodist Wyan- 
dotte mission. The Western Christian Advocate urged 
his purchase, in order to prevent his sale, and this was 
finally accomplished for $1,200. 18 

To the conference in New Albany, in 1837, most of 
the preachers from the eastern part of the state came 
by way of the Ohio river, and many of them returned 
the same way. After the close of the conference some 
forty or fifty preachers, and among them Bishop Soule, 
were passengers on board the mail boat, the General 
Pike, running between Louisville and Cincinnati. On 
board the boat also was a large company of gamblers, 
returning from the Louisville races, which had just 
closed, and they soon took possession of the gentlemen's 
cabin, which was soon lined with card tables, and 
liquor began to flow in abundance. The scene was too 
much for Bishop Soule, and he rose from his seat and 
walked about in an excited manner surveying the scene, 
and in the midst of the bacchanalian songs and coarse 
jests, he called upon the preachers to gather in a group, 
and they began to sing : 

"Jesus, the name high over all, 

In hell, or earth, or sky; 
Angels and men before it fall, 

And devils fear and fly." 

This soon proved to be the correct remedy for the 
situation, for by the time the Methodist preachers had 
sung several hymns, the astonished gamblers had all 
retired from their card tables, to the decks and state 
rooms, and the remainder of the journey was spent in 
quietness. 49 

The seventh session of the Indiana conference con- 
vened at Rockville, on October 17, 1838, and the largest 

48 Western Christian Advocate. March 10, 1837; Ibid., March 
17, 1837. 

49Holliday, Indiana Methodism. 119-120. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 73 



gain in membership yet recorded, was reported, 4,220, 
and also the greatest number was received on trial into 
the conference, 32. This year a new district appears 
in the minutes, the Logansport, over which George M. 
Beswick was appointed Presiding Elder. The district 
included the following appointments, Logansport, Mon- 
ticello, Independence, Delphi, Peru, Fort Wayne, War- 
saw mission and Rochester mission. 50 At this session 
of the conference the preachers along the Ohio river 
had to travel across the state on horse back. Enoch G. 
Wood and F. C. Holliday made the journey from In- 
dianapolis together. They started from Indianapolis on 
Saturday morning and arrived in Danville for dinner. 
Here Wood was taken sick, and they were compelled 
to remain until Monday, and Holliday improved the 
Sabbath by preaching twice in the court house. They 
resumed their journey on Monday, and reached Green- 
castle in time for dinner. Monday night they stayed 
at a double log-cabin, and during the night there was 
a tremendous racket in the yard, the master of the 
cabin and his dog engaged in fighting some wild 
animal, but the preachers were so tired with their 
travel, they did not arise to assist in the fight. In the 
morning the farmer informed them that a bear had 
gotten into his hog pen and was attempting to carry off 
a hog, and he had succeeded in saving the hogs, but the 
bear had escaped. The preachers were sorry they had 
not been called to his assistance, as the capture of ;i 
bear on the way to conference would have been a 
romantic incident, and would have made a good story 
to relate to their brethren. 51 

The year had been a fruitful one of ingathering, 
and many conversions and accessions were reported 
from all over the state. Joseph Tarkington, that year, 
the preacher at Lawrenceburg station, received some 

50 Minutes of Conferences. Vol. II. 595. 596. 

51 Holliday. Indiana Methodism, 125- 126. 



74 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



two hundred into the Church, among them being some 
of the best people of the town. Ninety-eight were 
baptised in the church and twenty-eight in the Ohio 
river, those being baptised in the river, were of course 
immersed."'- On the Kalamazoo circuit two protracted 
meetings were held during the winter, and resulted in 
not only adding a number of members to the circuit, 
but in raising a subscription of $1,000 for the building 
of a meeting house. At Shelbyville, Danville, Rising 
Sun, Elkhart, Rushville, Pine Creek, Lagrange, New 
Albany, and on many other circuits successful revivals 
were conducted, resulting in the bringing of many new 
members into the Church."' 3 Allen Wiley, the Presid- 
ing Elder of the Crawfordsville district in 1837-38, re- 
ports that his district contains 4,000 square miles, that 
it includes ten "city towns" three of which contain a 
population of 2,000, and that in this territory there are 
60,000 inhabitants, 3,000 church members, and 12,000 
people who attend Church, but are not members. He 
complains that there are no places large enough to 
accomodate the crowds who come to the Church serv- 
ices, which he says is clue to the newness of the 
country. 54 

The conference which met in Lawrenceburg in 1839 
was a very interesting and important meeting. In 
the first place there were three bishops present, Bishops 
Roberts and Soules being visitors and Bishop Morris 
the president of the conference. There were thirty-one 
preachers received on trial, and twenty-one received 
into full connection, and an increase of 8,694 members 
was reported for the conference. It was also the year 
in which General Conference delegates were elected, 
and Allen Wiley, E. R. Ames, C. W. Ruter, A. Eddy, 

52 Tarkington. Autobiography. 134-135. 

53 Accounts of these revivals will be found in the Western 
Christian Advocate for lcS38. 

54 Western Christian Advocate, 174. 1838. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 75 

and A. Wood were duly elected to represent the con- 
ference. 

The preachers with few exceptions, came to the con- 
ference cloathed in home-spun, and all of them except 
a few who lived along the Ohio river came to the con- 
ference on horse back, and most of them were seedy 
when they arrived. "Many had come from a month's 
tussle with the ague, and some of them kept up the 
shake habit every other day during conference." Dur- 
ing the latter part of the conference session a resolu- 
tion was introduced requesting that the preachers re- 
turn to the original plainness of dress, and that they 
be requested to wear either the round breasted or plain 
frock coats. The reason for this resolution, was the 
fact that John S. Bayless having married a well-to-do 
woman of Vincennes, had come to conference wearing 
his wedding suit, which was tailor made and in the 
height of fashion; the pants tight with narrow falls; 
the coat was "pigeon tailed" and the hat a stove-pipe, 
the whole giving the wearer a unique appearance in a 
Methodist conference of that period in Indiana. 55 But 
more and more after this conference the preachers 
dressed as they pleased, though this motion was passed 
without a dissenting vote, and a few years later a 
similar resolution was introduced, and passed. 

One of the important parts of a Methodist confer- 
ence's business is the examination of character. Not 
only were those just entering the conference examined, 
in this regard, but each year the characters of every 
member of the conference had to be "passed." Espe- 
cially were those, who were up for admission into full 
connection, given a careful examination. One case 
which came before the conference of 1839 was espe- 
cially interesting. The young man under considera- 
tion was William J. Forbes, who was just closing his 
second year as a probationer, and therefore if he was 

55 Tarkiugton, Autobiography, 12-22. 



76 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



found deserving he might be admitted. The committee 
on his studies gave a very complimentary report. He 
was good on everything, and very good on several. 
Finally the Presiding Elder, under whom he had been 
traveling, reported that this young man was a very 
good preacher, and the people liked to hear him. He 
also reported that he read a great deal and understood 
what he read, but he said, no one is converted under 
his preaching. At this juncture up jumped James 
Havens, and asked, "Does he make anybody mad?" To 
this the Elder replied, "0 no ! He is a sweet tempered 
man, everybody loves him." "Then I'm opposed to 
him," said Havens. "A man under whose preaching 
nobody is converted and nobody made mad is not fit for 
a Methodist preacher." In spite, however, of James 
Havens' opposition Forbes was admitted, for, said the 
Bishop, "A young man that reads a great deal and 
understands what he reads and preaches well, and that 
everybody loves, is a safe case." 56 

In this early day a college education was an actual 
disadvantage to a preacher, as far as gaining advance- 
ment was concerned. Thomas A. Goodwin was the 
first preacher to enter the conference with a college 
diploma. The presiding elders were afraid of showing 
too much favor to a college man, and on a number of 
occasions Goodwin was actually demoted for no other 
reason than that he was a college graduate. One of 
Goodwin's colleagues was a man very deficient in edu- 
cation, but was much more popular on the circuit, 
"chiefly because he could outshout me." "He got all 
the socks, but he generously divided with me, for he 
got more than twice as many as he could possibly wear 
out. He would put up for the night or for a week, as 
the demands of the appointments would allow, and 
smoke his pipe, and talk gossip, but read, never, beyond 

56 Tarkington, Autobiography. T. A. Goodwin Introduction, 
15, 16. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 77 



the Western Christian Advocate. I met his praise 
everywhere I went. He kissed all the babies and had 
several namesakes before the year was half out." This 
situation, and the jealousy and prejudice against college 
graduates finally drove Thomas A. Goodwin out of the 
regular ministry of the Methodist Church, and he be- 
came an editor of a newspaper, the chief policy of 
which was to fight the saloon and slavery. 57 

One of the most notable events of the session of 
1839 was the first appearance of Dr. Matthew Simp- 
son, the young president of Indiana Asbury University. 
At the time he was a young man, less than thirty years 
of age, and his personal appearance was not very pre- 
possessing. He was clothed in neat, well-fitting jeans, 
although a number of others wore store clothes, and his 
dress and appearance was disappointing to the confer- 
ence. The opportunity, however, for him to distinguish 
himself as a preacher, came when he was appointed to 
preach the anniversary sermon before the conference. 
This was the year that marked the centenary of Meth- 
odism, the first Methodist classes having been organ- 
ized by John Wesley, in London in the year 1739. When 
the time came for the anniversary sermon, the house 
was crowded. The preacher took for his text the vision 
of Ezekiel, in which the prophet sees the waters flow- 
ing from the sanctuary. It was a sermon which de- 
scribed the triumph of the gospel, a theme which 
naturally greatly appealed to a Methodist conference, 
and which gave President Simpson opportunity of 
bringing into play his remarkable descriptive powers, 
and his rich imagination. The effect of that sermon 
was most impressive. Many preachers were overcome 
with emotion, and at one of the "climaxes," an intelli- 
gent lady, not usually excitable, jumped to her feet, 
waving her parasol, and looking upward exclaimed, 
"Sun, stand thou still, and let the moon pass by," re- 

57 Ibid., 51-60. 



78 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



peating the sentence until some one started to sing, 
while her immediate friends took her out of the con- 
gregation. " r,s After this Dr. Simpson was voted the 
prince of preachers, and to the day of his death Indiana 
Methodism never reversed that opinion. 

The reading of the appointments in these early days 
was a time of intense excitement for the preachers ; 
the preachers had no inkling, in those days, as they 
have in these, as to where they were to be sent, and to 
move then meant much more than it does now. We 
will let one who was an eye witness describe the read- 
ing of the appointments at the session of 1839. "Many 
of the preachers had bidden good-bye to their enter- 
tainers, and their horses, after a week's rest, were 
saddled and at the door ready to make a few miles 
homeward that day. A presiding elder stood in each 
aisle of the church, and the order was announced by 
the bishop that when the name of a circuit was an- 
nounced there would be a pause, and the preacher for 
the preceding year should stand up, and the presiding 
elder nearest to him would go to him and receive from 
him the "plan of the circuit." This occupied usually 
less than a minute, but to the conference it seemed an 
age. Not a word was spoken until this part was com- 
pleted. The preacher stood up as directed, and the 
Presiding Elder went to him ; but not until the Bishop 
saw that the "plan" was handed over, would he break 
silence. Then followed the name of the new preacher. 
It was usually a disappointment. Naturally enough he 
hoped it would not be a long move, the quality of the 
circuit being secondary; for there was not so much 
difference in quality as might be supposed, as none 
were easy." 59 

While the appointments were being slowly read at 
this session of the conference James V. Watson, who 

58 Tarkington, Autobiography, 17-19. 

59 Tarkington. Autobiography. Goodwin's Introduction, 19-22. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA, 79 



had been on the superannuated roll the year previous, 
sat listening with intense anxiety for his appointment. 
He had hoped to be sent to Lawrenceburg, for he had 
assisted in a series of meetings there, and had many 
friends in the charge who desired that he be their 
preacher. But Madison district was read and Law- 
renceburg had another preacher, and the bishop read 
on and on. Finally all the Indiana districts had been 
read and the bishop announced the Michigan district, 
and among the first appointments read in that district 
was "White Pigeon, James V. Watson." Watson 
sprang to his feet and with a great display of excite- 
ment exclaimed, "Where is White Pigeon? Can any 
one tell me where White Pigeon is?" "You will find it 
in Michigan, Brother Watson," coolly answered the 
Bishop. Finally after the conference was over William 
W. Hibben and S. C. Cooper took him by the arms, one 
on each side, and as they walked up the street Cooper 
told what a beauty of a place White Pigeon was, and 
that they had a fine brick church with a basement, sncl 
that the people would drive ten miles in their sleighs to 
hear him preach. And with such encouragement Wat- 
son's discouragement and rebellion passed and he said, 
"I will go : I will start tomorrow morning. Hurrah for 
White Pigeon." And he went to White Pigeon, and "he 
wrote his name in letters of immortal memory all over 
the great northwest." 60 For after serving White 
Pigeon he became pastor at Detroit and other import- 
ant cities, and finally became the first editor of the 
Northwestern Christian Advocate. "Who shall say 
that, after all, the hand of the Lord was not in that 
cruel move." 

When the preachers came to the conference in Oc- 
tober, 1840, at Indianapolis, there were 153 traveling 
preachers, 418 local preachers, and 52,626 communi- 

60 Western Christian Advocate, June 30, 1858. Article by W. 
W. Hibben. 



80 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



cants, an increase of 9,116 over the previous year. The 
year had been one of prosperity for the church, for the 
spirit of revival had continued throughout the year. On 
the Newton circuit more than three hundred joined the 
Church ; Rockport reported a similar number of acces- 
sions, and a great "sweeping revival." J. B. Birt on 
the Mooresville circuit received four hundred members 
on probation and by letter, and during the year meet- 
ing was established for the first time at Plainfield. 
Aaron Wood of the Laporte district tells of holding 
two quarterly meetings in barns, and three on camp- 
meeting grounds, where many thousands have attended. 
During the summer a camp-meeting was held near the 
"little modest town of Lebanon," and a writer de- 
scribes "this settlement" as having shared more largely 
in the great blessings of Methodism, than any other, 
which he has seen in the Wabash valley, "and its 
peculiar tendency to make men sober, industrious, kind 
and devotional, is here distinctly visible." Meetings 
were also reported from the Independence, Centerville, 
Brownstown, Warsaw mission, Deep River mission, 
Evansville, Brookville, and from many other circuits 
and stations. Augustus Eddy from Indianapolis dis- 
trict reports more than 1,500 added to the Church since 
conference, "embracing all ranks and stations in so- 
ciety." 61 "Revival power like a tidal wave was rolling 
over the country." 62 

These were years of rapid growth, in the number of 
members, circuits and districts. At the conference of 
1840 eleven districts were formed, as follows : Madison, 
Charlestown, Indianapolis, Vincennes, Crawfordsville, 
Greencastle, Bloomington, Connersville, Winchester, 
Logansport and South Bend. The list of the presiding 

61 Accounts of many such revival meetings will be found in 
the Western Christian Advocate for 1840. 

62 J. L. Smith. Indiana Methodism. 36-39. 74. 75. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA. 



81 



elders included Calvin W. Ruter, Enoch G. Wood, Jame3 
Havens, Henry S. Talbott, Thomas J. Brown, Allen 
Wiley, John Miller, Augustus Eddy, Robert Burns, 
George M. Beswick and Aaron Wood. The number of 
circuits and stations in each district ranged from eight 
to eleven, and the whole state was now completely 
covered by these eleven Presiding Elders districts. 63 
The conference at its session in 1839 had asked the 
General Conference to make the northern boundary of 
state the northern boundary of the conference, and ac- 
cordingly provision was made for the organization of 
the Michigan conference by the General Conference of 
1840. 

In the latter thirties Methodist work was begun 
among the Germans, who were beginning to come into 
the state in considerable numbers. The unsuccessful 
political revolutions in Europe during the year 1830 
sent many disappointed Germans into the United 
States, and they kept coming into the central states in 
a continuous stream until the opening of the Civil War. 
In 1839 it was reported that four hundred had been 
converted and joined the Methodist Church, in various 
places in the country, and in 1840 the first German 
mission was established in Indiana, at Lawrenceburg, 
and John Kisling and M. J. Bofer were appointed mis- 
sionaries. The German work prospered and the next 
year three German missions were reported, one at New 
Albany, one at Fort Wayne, beside the Lawrenceburg 
mission. The next two years the New Albany and 
Fort Wayne mission disappear, but new German work 
is begun at Evansville. 64 

Seventy-five years ago there was much less harmony 
among the denominations, and far more rivalry and 
jealously than now, and debates between the champions 

63 Minutes of Conferences, Vol. Ill (1839-1845), 109. 110. 111. 

64 Ibid., Western Christian Advocate, page 54; 1839. 



(6) 



82 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



of the various rival churches were common. Not only 
were there arguments and debates between the preach- 
ers, but the people were well versed in the peculiar 
doctrinal position of their particular denomination, 
and embraced every opportunity of defending it. The 
Methodists had strenuous debates with the "Camp- 
bellites," the Presbyterians, and the Baptists, but all 
the denominations united against the Universalist. In 
the forties there were several large debates held in the 
old court house at Martinsville between the Univer- 
salist leader of the West, Rev. Erasmus Manford, and 
James Scott, a Methodist preacher. Manford declared 
that all mankind would finally reach holiness and hap- 
piness, while Scott affirmed the endless punishment of 
the unrepentant wicked. At the close of the three 
days' debate Manford painted a hell for Scott and his 
brethren to look at, * * * then flung into it all the hu- 
man race that orthodoxy excluded from Heaven. * * * 
Scott retaliated by sending Judas to Heaven before his 
Lord, and by carrying all liars and lechers, seducers 
and murderers, to Abraham's bosom," all bedeviled and 
unrepentant as they were." Manford replied that Mr. 
Scott need not worry himself about heavenly society, 
for all would be purified by the offering of Christ. 

The debate was followed up by the Methodists with 
a revival, at which many seekers sought pardon at the 
altar, and at its conclusion a long list of probationers 
was turned over to the class leaders. At the end of the 
probationary period, however, the list had shrunk, "for 
the temptations to former habits and amusements 
which were forbidden in the Discipline were too great 
for their self-denial. * * * They had most willfully 
listened to the enchanting music of the violin, which 
was not at all commendable ; for in those days, it was 
thought by many that more devils lurked in catgut and 
horsehair than Luther ever dreamed of. The Baptists, 
Presbyterians and Christians were all in accord with 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 83 



the Methodists in denouncing "fiddling and dancing and 
gumsucking parties/' 64 

The tenth session of the Indiana conference met at 
Terre Haute, October 6, 1841, and was presided over 
by Bishop Roberts. This was the last time the vener- 
able Bishop, now the senior Bishop of the Church, was 
to preside over an Indiana conference. For over twenty 
years Bishop Roberts had been a resident of Indiana, 
having moved to Lawrence county, Indiana, from 
Shenango, Pennsylvania, in 1819. He had been elected 
to the episcopacy by the General Conference of 1816, 
the very year of Asbury's death, and was the first 
married bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Bishop Roberts being the first married bishop, the 
General Conference which elected him, passed a resolu- 
tion, making it the duty of the Book Committee at New 
York, to decide what sum was to go to married Bishops 
for family expenses. This was done until 1832 when 
the rule was so changed as to make it the duty of the 
annual conference in which a Bishop resided, to esti- 
mate the "table expenses." Thus at each of its sessions 
since 1832 the Indiana conference had appointed a com- 
mittee to estimate the "table expenses" of Bishop 
Roberts. From 1816 to 1832 Bishop Roberts had re- 
ceived the sum of $200 living expenses; from 1832 to 
1836 he received $250 ; from 1836 to 1840, $300 ; and 
from 1840 to his death in 1843, the annual sum re- 
ceived was $400. Besides this the Bishop received a 
quarterage $200 yearly, which was contributed by all 
the Conferences. 65 

During these years of residence in Indiana, Bishop 
Roberts had greatly endeared himself to the Methodists 
of the state, and as old age approached the Indiana 
Conference became solicitous for his comfort, and at 

64 Memoirs of Noah J. Major. "The Pioneers of Morgan 
County." Edited by Logan Esarey, 343-348. 

65 Charles Elliott. Life of Roberts, 359. 



84 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



the session of the conference in 1839 resolutions were 
offered by C. W. Ruter, and Allen Wiley, which were 
unanimously passed, requesting Bishop Roberts to re- 
move to some more prominent place in the state, where 
his brethren and friends could more easily have access 
to him, and thus render him such attention, as the 
Church felt anxious that he should receive. Bishop 
Roberts, however, refused to leave his farm in Law- 
rence county, and form new neighborhood alliances. 86 
Again at the session of the conference at Terre Haute, 
in 1841, a Resolution was offered and passed request- 
ing "That our venerable and beloved Superintendent, 
Bishop Roberts, be, and is hereby requested, at his first 
convenient opportunity, to sit for his portrait, and that 
the preachers of this conference be permitted to defray 
the expense which may accrue in obtaining such por- 
trait." 67 When this resolution was passed Bishop 
Roberts related the following anecdote of Bishop As- 
bury. When the Philadelphia conference offered a 
similar resolution, in view of getting Bishop Asbury's 
portrait, he told them, if they ever got his portrait they 
would have to go to "Paradise" for it. The brethren 
thought the Bishop altogether unreasonable, and in- 
sisted that it was a duty he owed the Church and pos- 
terity, to sit for his portrait. "Well," said Bishop 
Asbury, with an indifferent air, "all I have to say is if 
you ever get my portrait, you will have to go to 'Para- 
dise' to get it. He is the best artist I know of in 
America." 68 Mr. Paradise resided in New York, and 
of course the portrait was taken. 

Bishop Roberts, probably, would have taken no step 
to have his portrait painted had it not been for a letter 
addressed to him by Dr. Matthew Simpson and E. R. 
Ames, urging him to come to Greencastle in July, 1842, 

66 Ibid., 336. Minutes for 1839. 

67 Minutes, 1841. 

68 Western Christian Advocate, August 11, 1858. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



85 



to sit for his portrait. Accordingly everything was 
arranged and the Bishop spent two weeks in Green- 
castle, and during his stay his portrait was painted, 
and Dr. Simpson wrote down, from the Bishop's own 
mouth, a brief outline of his early life, intending to 
write the life of the Bishop, but these notes were after- 
wards used by the Bishop's biographer, Dr. Charles 
Elliott. 09 The portrait then painted was a life-sized 
picture, and for many years hung in the old chapel of 
Indiana Asbury University, but in the fire which par- 
tially consumed that building, in 1878, the picture was 
cut out of the frame and is now hanging in the east 
gallery of Meharry Hall of DePauw University. 

The conference of 1842 was held in Centerville, pre- 
sided over by Bishop Morris. The conference was still 
growing rapidly and an increase of 9,562 members was 
reported, twenty-seven preachers were admitted on 
trial, and when the appointments were read 180 preach- 
ers were appointed to charges. Among the interesting 
occurrances of this conference was a sermon by J. B. 
Finley, of the Ohio conference. He was known as the 
"old chief" and was unsparing in his denunciations of 
gold watches, jewelry and all clerical foppery, and the 
preachers' wives, who sported jewelry, where much in- 
censed at his denunciations. 70 The sermon of this old 
warrior, before the Indiana conference on this occasion 
made a powerful impression. The Church was a new 
one and was packed to the doors, and down in front sat 
James Havens, then known as "Father Havens." 
Finley told of his experiences as a missionary among 
the Wyandotte Indians, and his accounts of remarkable 
conversions and triumphant deaths among them were 
thrilling beyond comparison. Among other things he 
told of his first attempt to preach, when he tried to 
read one of his father's sermons, his father being a 

69 Elliott, Life of Roberts, 349-351. 

70 Western Christian Advocate, September 1, 1858. 



86 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Presbyterian minister, but the sermon was not a suc- 
cess. Then he said, "I dropped on my knees and called 
upon God to help me, and help me now." And his 
stammering tongue was loosed, and he shouted and ex- 
horted, and prayed, and that first sermon resulted in 
the conversion of one person. "He was a stripling, an 
awkward, green boy. He came to Indiana : God called 
him to preach ; he is now a son of thunder. He was not 
afraid of Indians. Scalping knives and tomahawks did 
not frighten him. He blazed his way through the 
woods of Indiana. He became familiar with the growl 
of the bear and the scream of the panther. He is now 
a veteran leader among you : he is here tonight — there 
he sits!" pointing to James Havens. The scene which 
followed beggars description. Havens sprang from the 
altar to the pulpit, to embrace the "old chief" in his 
arms, and the people shouted and screamed. 71 

The last session of the old Indiana conference con- 
vened in the Old School Presbyterian Church in Craw- 
fordsvilie, on October 18, 1843, Bishop James O. An- 
drew, presiding. It was the conference at which Gen- 
eral Conference delegates were to be selected, and a 
deep current of anti-slavery sentiment was manifest 
among the preachers. Since the General Conference of 
1840, anti-slavery sentiment had greatly increased in 
the Church at the North. Only eight years before in 
the General Conference of 1836, which met in Cincin- 
nati, a resolution was introduced and passed by an 
overwhelming vote, condemning "Modern abolitionism, 
and wholly disclaiming any right, wish or intention to 
interfere in the civil and political relation between 
master and slave as it exists in the slave-holding states 
of the Union." The Bishops in their pastoral letters 
the same year exhort all "to abstain from all abolition 
movements and associations and to refrain from 
patronizing any of their publications." Between 1836 

71 J. L. Smith, Indiana Methodism. 85-88. 



t 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



87 



and 1840 a number of preachers were brought to trial 
before their respective conferences because of their 
abolitionism, and the Philadelphia conference for ten 
years after 1837, asked each candidate for admission 
into the conference, "Are you an abolitionist?" and un- 
less this question was answered in the negative he was 
not received. The incident which was the direct cause 
for the increase of anti-slavery sentiment in the 
Church, was the action of a Maryland pro-slavery con- 
vention which met in the winter of 1841-1842. This 
convention passed resolutions asking the Maryland 
Legislature to pass a law which would result in either 
driving the free negroes from the state or reducing 
them to bondage. This action greatly aroused the 
Methodists all over the North, because many of the 
free negroes were Methodists. 72 

This convention was discussed in all the Church 
papers, and the notice of the convention in the Chris- 
tian Advocate and Journal of New York, created such 
alarm at the South, that predictions were made, if it 
continued to take part in the slavery discussion the 
paper would not circulate in the South. 73 

The delegates elected by the Indiana conference of 
1843 to the General Conference of 1844, were Matthew 
Simpson, A. Wiley, E. R. Ames, John Miller, C. W. 
Ruter, Aaron Wood, Augustus Eddy and James Havens 
with John C. Smith and Richard Hargrave as reserve 
delegates. Two of these men elected as General Con- 
ference delegates were afterwards to become bishops, 
Matthew Simpson and E. R. Ames, both elected on the 
same ballot by the General Conference of 1852, and 
both became conspicuous leaders of the Church and the 
nation during the critical period of the Civil War. 

The most important question before this last session 
of the old Indiana conference was the one relating to 

72 Sweet, Methodist Episcopal Church and the Civil War. 20-24. 

73 Charles Elliott, The Great Secession. 237. 238. 



88 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



the division of the conference. The conference was 
fast becoming unwieldy, each year there having been 
large increase in the membership ; and the whole state 
was now dotted with circuits and stations. At the close 
of this session there were 16 districts, 148 circuits and 
stations, and over 200 ministers. The conference of 
1842 had taken action on the matter of division and 
resolutions, favoring it had been passed. After con- 
siderable discussion a number of resolutions respect- 
ing division were adopted. The boundary between the 
conferences was to be the National road, with the pro- 
vision that the Eastern charge in Indianapolis, now 
Roberts Park Church, with all the towns on the road 
east, were to be placed in the Northern Conference, 
while the Western charge, now Meridian Street Church, 
with all the towns west on the National road, were to 
be placed in the Southern Conference, except Terre 
Haute, which was placed in the Northern Conference. 
The conference also provided that the Southern confer- 
ence was to be known as the Indiana conference, and 
the Northern division of the North Indiana Conference. 

Bishop Roberts had died March 26, 1843, and it was 
fitting that the old Indiana conference at its last session 
should take appropriate notice of his death. Early in 
the session a committee consisting of C. W. Ruter, 
Matthew Simpson and Allen Wiley was appointed to 
draft appropriate resolutions, and later in the session 
they reported in a series of nine resolutions, Among 
the resolutions were several resolving that the remains 
of Bishop Roberts, which had been buried on his farm, 
should be removed to Greencastle ; and that a suitable 
monument should be erected over the body, to be paid 
for by the Indiana conference; and that Bishop Soule 
should be requested to furnish the epitaph for the tomb. 
These resolutions were afterwards carried out to the 
letter, and in 1844 the remains of Bishop Roberts were 
removed to the campus of Indiana Asbury University, 




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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 89 



at Greencastle, and later a suitable monument was 
erected over the spot, upon which was engraved the 
inscription furnished by Bishop Soule, where it can 
be seen to this day. 

The General Conference of 1844, which met in New 
York, divided the Indiana Conference into the North- 
ern and Southern divisions, as the conference itself had 
asked, and with this division, we bring this account to 
a close. 



PART II. 



MINUTES OF THE INDIANA CONFERENCE 

1832-1844. 

First Session of the Indiana Conference, Neiv Albany, 

October, 1832. 

JOURNAL of the first annual session of the In- 
diana conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
held in New Albany, Floyd county, Indiana, commenc- 
ing on the 17th of October, 1832. 

Wednesday morning, nine o'clock, conference met 
according to appointment and was opened by Bishop 
Soule by reading a portion of the sacred Scriptures, 
singing and prayer. 

The list was called and the following members be- 
ing present, answered to their names: Allen Wiley, 
Joseph Tarkington, John Kern, Daniel Anderson, 
Samuel C. Cooper, George Locke, James Havens, Asa 
Beck, Charles Bonner, John T. Johnson, William 
Shanks, C. W. Ruter, James Armstrong, William H. 
Smith, Enoch G. Wood, James Scott, Richard S. Rob- 
inson, Boyd Phelps. 

Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded to 
business. C. W. Ruter was nominated and elected 
secretary. 

Conference voted the time of meeting and adjourn- 
ment as follows : At one-half past 8 a. m. to meet, and 
adjourn at 12 m. To meet at 2 o'clock p. m. and ad- 
journ at 5 p. m. 

William Shanks and C. W. Ruter were appointed 
a committee to appoint the preachers to officiate, and 
superintend the congregations during the present ses- 
sion of the conference. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



91 



Brothers James Scott, A. Wiley and William Shanks 
were elected conference stewards. Bros. A. Wiley, 
E. R. Ames and James Armstrong were appointed a 
committee to write the memoirs of the dead. 

Bros. George Locke, E. G. Wood and James Scott 
were nominated and elected a book committee. 

Bros. C. W. Ruter, J. Armstrong and D. Anderson 
were appointed a committee to draft by-laws for this 
conference and report as soon as convenient. 

Bros. C. W. Ruter, A. Wiley and James Armstrong 
were appointed a committee to take into consideration 
the propriety of building a conference seminary, and 
report as soon as convenient. 

Conference proceeded to the consideration of the 
first question on the minutes, viz : Who are admitted on 
trial? Answer, John Daniel, Henry Deputy were 
recommended from Charlestown district and admitted. 
Thomas Nicholson and David Stucker not admitted, 
but the Presiding Elder is permitted to employ them 
should he deem it expedient. David Stiver, Elijah 
Whitten recommended from Madison district, were ad- 
mitted. Stephen R. Ball and Joseph White recom- 
mended from Crawfordsville district were admitted, 
but I. W. McEwing was not admitted; the Presiding 
Elder has leave to employ him when he thinks proper. 

Jesse Harbin recommended from Wabash district 
not admitted. But the Presiding Elder has liberty to 
employ him if necessary. Moses Ashworth recom- 
mended for readmission was not admitted. Conference 
voted that the Presiding Elder have liberty to employ 
Isham West, should his labors be deemed necessary. 

Conference proceeded to the consideration of the 
second question on the minutes : Who remain on trial ? 
The characters of G. W. Beswick, Nathan Fairchild, 
William M. Daily, James T. Robe and Cornelius Swank 
were severally examined and continued on trial. 

On motion, resolved, that during the examination 



92 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



of characters, the conference sit with closed doors. On 
motion, resolved that the preachers on trial be per- 
mitted to sit in the conference room. 

Conference proceeded to the examination of the 
characters of Deacons. The character of Richard L. 
Robinson, Samuel Brinton, John A. Decker, Boyd 
Phelps, Asa Beck, Miles Huffaker and Charles Bonner 
were severally examined, approved, and passed. 

Conference proceeded to the consideration and elec- 
tion of candidates for Elders Orders, and Samuel Julian 
was elected. Whereupon conference adjourned. 

Wednesday 2 o'clock p. m. Conference met pursu- 
ant to adjournment, and was opened according to rule. 
The list was called, journal read, and approved. Con- 
ference proceeded to business. Bishop Soule in the 
chair. On motion the Presiding Eider has liberty to 
employ David Stucker if necessary. 

Conference resumed the consideration of the first 
question on the minutes, and Robert Johnson was 
recommended from Madison district, was admitted on 
trial. Conference resumed the consideration of the 
character of Deacons of one year. And the case of A. 
W. Arrington was presented and his Presiding Elder 
observed that, he had withdrawn from the connection, 
having become skeptical in his mind ; and read part of 
a letter from said Arrington, in which he acknowledged 
his errors, stated, that he had become thoroughly con- 
vinced of the truth of Christianity, and deeply deplored 
his fall, and begged to be restored to his former stand- 
ing in the Church. 1 

A communication was also read from him to the 
Bishop, and members of Illinois Conference containing 

1 Alfred W. Arrington was reputed as one of the most eloquent 
young preachers in Indiana, and was much admired and flattered, 
and his fall was due to dizzy head, from too much flattery. He 
was restored to the Conference, but soon fell again, and finally 
became a lawyer in the State of Arkansas. (Article by W. W. 
Hibben, Western Christian Advocate, April 28. 1858.) 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



93 



a humble confession of his errors, and fall, and solicit- 
ing pardon and restoration: whereupon a motion was 
made, that A. W. Arrington be restored to his former 
standing in the conference. After some discussion, 
the vote was taken, was decided in the negative, and he 
was not restored. 

On motion the vote taken in the case of Moses Ash- 
worth 2 was reconsidered; and on the question being 
taken, shall he be readmitted ? — was decided in the 
negative. 

Conference then proceeded to the examination of 
the characters of Elders A. Wiley, T. S. Hitt, I. T. 
Johnson, Joseph Oglesby, I. W. McReynoIds, Joseph 
Tarkington, Robert Burns, (Superannuated) William 
Shanks, were examined, approved and passed. The 
name of William Moore was called, and it was an- 
nounced that he died the past year in peace. 

The characters of John Kerns, C. W. Enter, John 
Miller and Michaels S. Taylor were severally examined, 
approved and passed. The character of John Strange 
was examined and passed; also received a superannu- 
ated relation. The name of Brother Benjamin C. Ste- 
venson was called, when it was stated that he died the 
past year in peace. 

The character of Eli P. Farmer was examined, ap- 
proved and passed; he asked a location and it was 
moved that his request be granted ; after discussion, his 
case was laid over for further consideration. James L. 
Thompson and D. Anderson were examined and passed. 
The President, C. W. Ruter, T. S. Hitt, I. L. Thompson, 
I. Miller and D. Anderson a committee to examine the 
candidates for admission into full connection. Where- 
upon conference adjourned. 

Thursday, one-half past 8 a. m. conference met pur- 

2 Moses Ashworth was the first circuit preacher on the Silver 
Creek circuit (1807), which was the first complete circuit in 
Indiana territory. 



94 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



suant to adjournment, and was opened by reading the 
Scriptures, singing and prayer, the list was called, the 
journal read and approved. Conference proceeded to 
business. Bishop Soule in the chair. 

On motion the case of A. W. Arrington was recon- 
sidered on the resolution of his restoration to his 
former standing; after some considerable discussion, 
the vote was taken, and lost. A motion was then made 
that A. W. Arrington be restored to his standing as a 
member of the conference, but that his parchments be 
withheld and not allowed to exercise the office of a 
Deacon in the Church. The vote being taken was de- 
cided in the affirmative. 

Conference resumed the examination of the char- 
acter of Elders — , J. Armstrong, R. Hargrave, S. C. 
Cooper, William H. Smith, H. Vredenburgh, E. G. 
Wood, N. B. Griffith, J. Hadley, J. Havens, J. J. Brown, 
and J. Scott were severally examined, approved and 
passed, and Brother Scott's relation was changed from 
superannuated to that of supernumerary. Brother 
William Evans received a location at his own request. 
On motion, the case of T. Davis was laid over until Sat- 
urday. E. P. Farmer withdrew his request for a loca- 
tion. Conference resumed the first question on the 
minutes, and E. Wood was recommended from Craw- 
fordsville district, was admitted on trial. 

Several resolutions from the General (Conference) 
were read by the President on the subjects of the Sun- 
day schools, Bible and Tract societies, and on motion, 
they were referred to a select committee of three and 
J. Havens, A. Wiley and J. Oglesby were elected that 
committee, and report the same as soon as practicable. 

On motion a committee of three was appointed 
viz: William Shanks, M. S. Taylor and J. Armstrong 
to estimate the amount necessary for the table expenses 
of Bishop Roberts, to report as soon as convenient. 

The committee appointed to draft By-laws presented 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 95 



their report, which was read, and adopted, and ordered 
to be journalized; the following is said report: 

1st. The President to take the chair precisely at 
the hour to which the conference adjourned, and cause 
the same to be opened by reading (a portion of Sacred 
Scriptures) singing, and prayer. The list shall be 
called and the Journals of the preceeding session read 
and approved. When the conference shall proceed with 
the ordinary routine of business. 

2nd. The President shall decide all questions of 
orders, subject to an appeal to the conference, but in 
case of such appeal, the question shall be taken without 
debate. 

3rd. The President shall appoint all committees 
not especially otherwise ordered by the conference, but 
any member may decline serving on more than one com- 
mittee at the same time. 

4th. All motions, or resolutions introduced by any 
member shall be reduced to writing, if the President, 
Secretary, or any two members request it. 

5th. When a motion, or resolution, is made and 
seconded, or any report presented, and is read by the 
Secretary, or stated by the President, it shall be deemed 
in the possession of the conference, but any motion, or 
resolution may be withdrawn by the mover any time 
before decision, or amendment. 

6th. No new motion, or resolution, shall be made 
until the one under consideration is disposed of, which 
may be done by adoption, or rejection, unless one of the 
following motions should intervene, which motions 
shall have precedence in the order which they are 
placed, viz: Indefinite postponement; lying on the 
table ; reference to a committee ; postponement to a 
given time, or amendment. 

7th. No member shall be interrupted when speak- 
ing, except by the president to call him to order, when 
he departs from the question, uses personalities, or dis- 



96 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



respectful language; but any member may call the at- 
tention of the president to the subject when he deems a 
speaker out of order; and any member may explain 
if he thinks himself misrepresented. 

8th. When any member is about to speak in debate, 
or deliver any matter to the Conference he shall arise 
from his seat and respectfully address himself to the 
President. 

9th. No person shall speak more than twice on the 
same subject, or question, and then only fifteen minutes 
at any time without leave from Conference. Nor shall 
any person speak more than once till every member 
choosing to speak, shall have spoken. 

10th. When any motion or resolution shall have 
passed, it shall be in order for any member who voted 
in the majority to move a reconsideration. 

11th. No member shall absent himself from the 
service of the Conference without leave, or unless he 
be sick or unable to attend. 

12th. A substitute shall never be received for the 
original resolution unless with the consent of the 
mover, nor with his consent after the resolution shall 
have been amended. 

13th. No member shall be allowed to vote on any 
question who is not within the bar at the time when 
such question is taken by the President, except by 
leave of the Conference when such member has been 
necessarily absent. 

14th. Every member who shall be within the bar 
at the time the question is put, shall give his vote, 
unless the Conference for special reasons shall ex- 
cuse him. 

15th. No person shall present a charge or a com- 
plaint against any member of the Conference unless 
he shall have conversed previously with that member 
on the subject, and apprised him of his intention to 
lay it before the Conference. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 97 



16th. A motion to adjourn shall always be in or- 
der, and shall be decided without debate. 

All of which is respectfully submitted by your 
committee. 

C. W. RUTER, Chairman. 

Whereupon Conference adjourned. 

Thursday, 2 o'clock p. m., Conference met pursu- 
ant to adjournment, and was opened according to rule. 
The list was called and Journal read and approved. 
Conference proceeded to business. Bishop Soule in 
the chair. The Conference Stewards sr?ent some time 
in attending to the pecuniary concerns of the Con- 
ference. The Conference voted to draw on the book 
concern for $400 and on the chartered fund for $75. 
Conference then proceeded to take the numbers and 
found them to be twenty thousand and thirty-five. 

The committee appointed on Bible, Sabbath School 
and Tract Societies, reported as follows : "The com- 
mittee to whom was committed the report of the Gen- 
eral Conference on the subject of Bible, Sunday 
Schools and Tract Societies, have had the same under 
consideration, and have to lament that our success in 
promoting said societies has not been commensurate 
with our capability of acting, and the means which 
divine Providence has put within our power. We hope, 
however, in the future, that we shall redeem in some 
measure, the time and means which are lost, by an 
increased endeavor to do our duty in time to come. In 
order to which, we recommend that this Conference 
require each preacher in charge of a Circuit or Station, 
in conjunction with his Presiding Elder to use his in- 
fluence to form the Quarterly Conference of his Cir- 
cuit or Station into a Bible Sunday School and Tract 
Society, auxiliary to these several societies of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and also to form as many sub- 
ordinate or branch societies in his Circuit as in his 
power. 

(7) 



98 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



We would also recommend that the Junior Preach- 
ers aid so far as they can in this good work. 

We would recommend that if any preacher neglects 
his duty in this matter he be censured by the Confer- 
ence as a man unfaithful to his trust as a Methodist 
preacher. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

SAMUEL HAVENS, Chairman. 

Said report was adopted, and ordered to be jour- 
nalized and also a copy to be sent to New York for 
publication in the "Christian Advocate and Journal." 

Conference resumed the first question on the min- 
utes; and Elhannon Sweet recommended from Indian- 
apolis District was not admitted; but the Presiding 
Elder has liberty to employ him if necessary. Amasa 
Johnson and Hiram Griggs recommended from In- 
dianapolis district, were admitted. On motion, Bro. 
James Armstrong was appointed agent of this Con- 
ference to receive the bequest of Brother James Paxton 
(deceased) for the benefit of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Indiana. On motion Brother A. Wiley was 
appointed agent of this Conference to receive the be- 
quest of Brother Isaac Swearingin (deceased) for the 
benefit of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the State 
of Indiana. 3 

Whereupon Conference adjourned. 

Friday, half-past eight o'clock a. m., Conference 
met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened accord- 
ing to rule. The list was called and Journals read and 
approved. Bishop Soule in the chair. Conference 
proceeded to business. 

On motion, the vote that was taken making the case 
of Thomas Davis the order for the day on Saturday 
was reconsidered. The case of L. D. Smith was taken 
up, and his character passed. 

3 These bequests were the real beginning of the Preachers' Aid 
Society. 



CIRCUIT -RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 99 



The case of J. A. Decker was called, his character 
passed, and at his own request received a location. 

The committee appointed to estimate the amount 
necessary to defray the table expenses of Bishop Rob- 
erts presented their report as follows : $250 per year, 
which report was adopted. 4 On motion the Confer- 
ence appointed the 15th of November next as the day 
of humiliation, fasting and prayer in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in the State of Indiana, and that the 
editors of the several papers as published in the State, 
be respectfully requested to give notice of the same in 
their papers. 

On motion, resolved, that his excellency, the Gov- 
ernor of the State of Indiana, be respectfully requested 
to appoint a day of fasting and prayer, to be observed 
throughout the state, in special reference to the alarm- 
ing epidemic which threatens us. 

Conference proceeded to the consideration of the 
local preachers recommended for Deacons' Orders. 
Aaron Robins, recommended from the Madison Dis- 
trict, was elected. William V. Daniels, S. Bottosff, 
Shadrack B. A. Carter, and Facter Knox were recom- 
mended from Charlestown District and were elected. 
John Jones not elected. 

Conference proceeded to the consideration of ques- 
tion 3rd on the minutes, and J. C. Smith, Ancil Beach, 
Isaac Kimble, Isaac N. Ellberry, A. F. Thompson, H. 

4 The General Conference of 1816 passed a resolution making 
it the duty of the book committee at New York to decide what 
sum was to go to married Bishops for family expenses, Bishop 
Roberts elected Bishop at this conference, being the first married 
Bishop. This was done until 1836 when the rule was so changed 
as to make it the duty of the annual conference in which a bishop 
resides to estimate the amount of necessary expenses. From 
1819 to 1832 Bishop Roberts received $200 a year for family ex- 
penses, from 1832 to 1836, $250, and from 1836 to 1840, $300; 
from 1840 to his death, $400 a year. Besides this he received a 
quarterage of $200 yearly, which was contributed by all the Con- 
ferences. (Life of Roberts, by Rev. Charles Elliott, DD., p. 359.) 



100 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



S. Talbott, Amos Sparks, Jno. Ritchie, E. R. Ames 
having been previously examined by the committee 
appointed for that purpose were called forward and 
examined before the Conference by Bishop Soule as 
the Discipline directs ; afterward their characters were 
severally examined, and all admitted into full connec- 
tion and elected to Deacons' Orders, except Brothers 
Sparks and Ellsbury, who were previously ordained 
when local preachers. 

The case of William Taylor was called and some 
objections being made to his course as an itinerant 
minister, he was on motion discontinued. J. H. Hill 
and D. M. Murphy were discontinued. 

Whereupon Conference adjourned. 

Friday, 2 o'clock p. m. Conference met pursuant 
to adjournment, and was opened according to rule. 
The list was called, and Journals read and approved. 
Conference proceeded to business. Bishop Soule in 
the chair. 

The case of Thomas Davis was called up and some 
charges being brought forward, on which a commit- 
tee had previously passed, and he had been suspended. 
The charges were read and the plaintiff, L. B. A. Car- 
ter introduced his testimony and made some remarks, 
and Brother Davis being absent, a communication from 
him was read, also all the papers which the said Davis 
had forwarded were all read to the Conference. And 
after due deliberation, he was adjudged guilty of 
maladministration and falsehood, and on motion 
Thomas Davis was expelled from the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. Whereupon Conference adjourned. 

The following resolution of the General Conference, 
being spread before the Conference by the President, 
was ordered to be journalized, viz: "Resolved, Second, 
That in making out the minutes of the Annual Confer- 
ences for publication, the above question shall be in- 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 101 



serted and fully and distinctly answered so as to show, 
1st. Who are the superannuated preachers and widows 
and orphans of preachers, having claims on the Con- 
ference and the sum to which each one is entitled? 
2nd. What preachers and on what circuits are de- 
ficient of their allowance, and the amount of each one's 
deficiency. 3d. What has been collected on the cir- 
cuits and stations — naming, also, those, if any such 
there be, for which nothing shall have been received or 
contributed by benevolent Societies or individuals, or 
drawn from the Book Concern and Chartered fund to 
meet their claims. 

Saturday, half-past eight o'clock a. m. Conference 
met pursuant to adjournment and was opened accord- 
ing to rule. The list was called and Journals read and 
approved. Conference proceeded to business, Bishop 
Soule in the chair. Conference resumed the considera- 
tion of the case of local preachers recommended for 
Deacon's Orders. John Evans and Amasa Johnson 
were recommended from Indianapolis District and 
elected. 

Conference then proceeded to the consideration of 
the Local Deacons as recommended for Elder's Orders. 
Joseph Barrett was recommended from Indianapolis 
District, was elected. The committee appointed on the 
subject of the Conference Seminary presented their re- 
port, which was read and adopted. 

The report: "Next to the religion of the Son of 
God your committee consider the light of science cal- 
culated to lessen the sum of human woe and to increase 
the sum of human happiness. Therefore we are of the 
opinion that the means of education ought to be placed 
within the reach of every community in general, so 
that all may have an opportunity of obtaining an ordi- 
nary and necessary education. From observation and 
information your committee are well convinced that 



102 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



where superior schools and colleges are neglected, or- 
dinary schools are almost universally in a languished 
state. And many persons are reared, and live and die 
without any education. We therefore think that Semi- 
naries and Colleges under good literary and moral 
regulations are of incalculable benefit to our country, 
and that a good Conference Seminary would be of 
great and growing utility to our people. We are aware 
that when a Conference Seminary is named, some of 
our preachers and many of our people suppose we are 
about to establish a manufactory in which preachers 
are to be made. But nothing is farther from our views, 
for we are fully of Mr. Bernge's opinion who, when 
comparing ministers to pens, observes 'that although 
the Seminaries have been trying to make pens for 
some hundreds of years, they will not write well till 
God nibs them.' " 

When we examine the state of the literary institu- 
tions of our country we find a majority of them are in 
the hands of other denominations (whether rightfully 
or otherwise, we do not take it upon ourselves to de- 
termine) whose doctrine in many respects we con- 
sider incompatible with the doctrines of revelation, so 
that our people are unwilling (and we think properly 
so) to send their sons to those institutions. Therefore 
we think it very desirable to have an institution under 
our own control from which we can exclude all doc- 
trines which we deem dangerous; though at the same 
time we do not wish to make it so sectarian as to ex- 
clude or in the smallest degree repel the sons of our 
fellow citizens from the same. 

To accomplish the foregoing desirable objects we 
most earnestly recommend the Conference the use of 
the means that will lead to the end. We would advise 
that the Presiding Elders of the several districts be 
required to collect all the information in their power 
in reference to an eligible site, and the means to build, 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 103 



and present the same to the next Conference. All of 
which is respectfully submitted. 

C. W. RUTER, 

A. WILEY, 

JAMES ARMSTRONG. 5 

On motion the Conference proceeded to elect five 
members as a Missionary committee. A. Wiley, James 
Armstrong, James L. Thompson, James Havens and 
George Locke, the said committee. 

A resolution of the late General Conference on the 
subject of the claims of the Canada Conference on the 
property invested in the Book Concern was by the 
President laid before this Conference, which was as 
follows : Resolved, That if three-fourths of the mem- 
bers of the several annual Conferences who shall be 
present and vote on the subject, shall concur herein, 
and as soon as the fact of such concurrence be certified 
by the Secretaries of the several Annual Conferences, 
the Book Agents and the Book Committee in New York 
shall be, and they are hereby authorized and directed to 
settle with the Agents of the Canada Conference on the 
following principles, preliminaries, etc. Wherefore the 
following resolution was offered, to wit : Resolved by 
the members of the Indiana Conference now in session, 
that we concur in the resolution of the late General 
Conference which authorizes the Book Agents of New 
York to divide the stock of the Book Concern of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church with the Canada Confer- 
ence, according to the terms proposed in the said reso- 
lution of the late General Conference. 

After some discussion a motion was made that a 
further consideration of the subject be laid over until 
the next session of this Conference, which motion was 
lost. The ayes and noes being called for on the original 

5 Tlie adoption of this report was the first step taken looking 
toward the organization of Indiana Asbury University (DePauw 
University). 



104 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



question the vote was taken accordingly, and thirty- 
six members being present and all voting on the ques- 
tion unanimously voted in the negative. 

The superintendent laid before the Conference a 
resolution of the late General Conference on the sub- 
ject of altering the restrictive rules of our Church as 
to change the ratio of delation to the General Confer- 
ence, which resolution was as follows : Resolved, That 
the General Conference recommend to the several An- 
nual Conferences for their concurrence and adoption 
as provided in the sixth article of the restrictive rules, 
the following resolution, to amend the second article 
of the restrictive rules, etc. Whereupon the follow- 
ing resolution was offered : 

Resolved, By the Indiana Annual Conference in ses- 
sion, that we concur in the resolution of the late Gen- 
eral Conference relative to altering the restrictive 
rules of our Church on the subject of the ratio of dele- 
gation to the General Conference, and the yeas and 
nays being called for it was found that there were 
thirty-three members present who unanimously voted 
in the affirmative. 

Conference then proceeded to fix on the place of its 
next session, and on counting the votes it was found 
that Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana, had a ma- 
jority, and was accordingly announced as the place for 
the next session of this conference, which will meet on 
the 16th of October, 1833. 

On motion, Resolved, That when the Conference 
meet in the afternoon the members proceed to form 
themselves into a Missionary Society auxilliary to the 
Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

On motion, Resolved, That each member of this 
Conference be requested to furnish a brief account at 
the next session, of his birth, early impressions, con- 
version, call to the ministry, etc., to be kept on the file 
with other Conference papers. On motion, the vote by 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 105 



which Bro. Scott was placed in a supernumerary rela- 
tion, was reconsidered, and changed to a superannu- 
ated relation. Whereupon Conference adjourned. 

Saturday, 2 o'clock p. m. Conference met pursu- 
ant to adjournment and was opened according to rule; 
journals read and approved; Conference proceeded to 
business. Bishop Soule in the chair. 

According to a resolution in the morning session 
the members of the Conference proceeded to form 
themselves into a Missionary Society. After which 
Conference resumed its business. The President pre- 
sented the case of Bro. James Ward as wishing to be 
transferred from the Kentucky to this Conference, and 
after due deliberation it was resolved that it is inex- 
pedient for the President to transfer Brother Ward 
to this Conference. 

The case of Brother Benjamin Edge was by the 
President laid before the Conference as wishing to 
transfer from Virginia to this Conference, and after 
due deliberation it was resolved on motion that it was 
inexpedient for the Superintendent to transfer Bro. 
Benjamin Edge to this Conference. 

On motion it was resolved that Bro. Isaac N. Els- 
bury be elected to Elder's Orders. Whereupon Con- 
ference adjourned. 

Monday, at one-half past eight o'clock a. m. Confer- 
ence met pursuant to adjournment and was opened ac- 
cording to rule, Journals read and approved; the list 
was called. Conference proceeded to business. Bishop 
Soule in the chair. 

The committee appointed to estimate the amount 
necessary to support the several missions in the bounds 
of the Indiana Annual Conference presented their re- 
port wiiich was as follows : 



To the Superintendent of Missions. _ 
To the Missionary on upper Wabash 



$100.00 
100.00 



106 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 

To the Missionary at Fort Wayne 75.00 

To the Missionaries at St. Joseph and South 

Bend 150.00 

To the Missionary at Kalamazoo 75.00 



Sum total $500.00 

The Committee on Missions presented their report, 
which was read and adopted. On motion, resolved, 
that each and every missionary within the bounds of 
this Conference shall make collections on his field of 
labor, and keep accurate accounts of monies received 
and expended by him, and also render an account of the 
time actually employed by him in his mission and re- 
port the same to the next Annual Conference. 

On motion the Conference proceeded to elect a 
Vice-President of the Missionary Society (parent) of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church at New York and on 
counting the votes Allen Wiley was found to have the 
highest vote and was declared duly elected. 

The Book Committee presented their report which 
was read; whereupon Conference adjourned for one 
hour. At eleven o'clock Conference met pursuant to 
adjournment. The Book Committee having their re- 
port read again to the Conference which was on mo- 
tion adopted. 

On motion a collection was taken up in the Confer- 
ence room for the aid of Bro. John Strange. On mo- 
tion, Resolved that each Presiding Elder present to the 
people of his charges a subscription for the purpose to 
aid Bro. John Strange in procuring a place of resi- 
dence and make their return to the preacher who may 
be stationed in Indianapolis. 6 

On motion, Resolved, That the vote of thanks of 
this Conference be given to the citizens of New Albany 

6 This collection probably resulted in the purchase of a house 
and lot for John Strange in Indianapolis. He died December 2, 
1832. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 107 



for their kind attention to the preachers, and also to 
the Presbyterian Church for the use of their meeting 
house during the session of this Conference, and also 
to the members of the New Albany Lyceum for the use 
of their room for the sitting of Conference. 

The Journals were read and approved. An ad- 
dress was delivered to the Conference by Bishop Soule, 
after which Conference united in singing and prayer; 
the appointments were then read, whereupon Confer- 
ence adjourned. 

JOSHUA SOULE. 

C. W. RUTER, Secretary. 

A COURSE OF STUDY FOR THE CANDIDATES ENTERING THE 
MINISTRY OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 

A course of study recommended to the candidates 
for the ministry in the M. E. Church. The Holy Ghost 
saith, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a 
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly di- 
viding the Word of Truth." "Give attention to read- 
ing to exhortation, to doctrine." 

It is therefore recommended to candidates for the 
ministry to study and make themselves acquainted with 
the following important points of doctrine: The gen- 
eral depravity of human nature; Redemption by 
Christ; repentence toward God; justification by Faith; 
the direct witness of the Holy Spirit ; holiness of heart 
and life, including regeneration and sanctification ; the 
divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ; perseverance of 
those who have been justified; Baptism; resurrection 
of the dead ; and future reward and punishment. Fur- 
ther recommended to study the principles of Church 
government, especially our own; the philosophy of 
English grammar, geography, Ancient History, Eccle- 
siastical History, Moral and Natural Philosophy, 
Logic. To aid the students in the acquisition of these 
important branches of knowledge the reading of the 



108 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



following books or as many of them as can be obtained 
is recommended : Tks Holy Bible, Wesley's Notes, 
Benson's, Clark's or Coke's Commentary, Wesley's Ser- 
mons and Answer to Taylor, Saint's Rest, Baxter's 
Serious Call, Benson's Sermons, Fletcher's Checks and 
Appeal, Portrait of St. Paul, Watson's Theological In- 
stitutes, Wood's or Martindale's Dictionary, Methodist 
Discipline, Murray's Grammar, Morse's Geography, 
Rollin's Ancient History, Mosheim's Ecclesiastical 
History, Reid's Philosophy, Paley's Natural Theology 
and Evidences, Wesley's Philosophy, Duncan's or 
Watt's Logic, and the Methodist Magazine. 

(Signed) R. R. ROBERTS, 
JOSHUE SOULE. 
New Albany, October 22, 1832. 

APPOINTMENTS OF THE INDIANA CONFERENCE, 1832. 

Madison District. 

James Havens, Presiding Elder. 
Madison — To be supplied. 
Vevay — John Kerns, William M. Dailey. 
Lawrenceburg — Joseph Oglesby, John C. Smith. 
Whitewater — Joseph Tarkington, Hiram Greggs. 
Wayne — Ancil Beach, David Stiver. 
Newcastle — Nathan Fairchild, Cornelius Swank. 
Connersvilie — John W. McReynolds, Robert John- 
son. 

Greensburg — To be supplied. 
Mississinnewa — To be supplied. 

Charlestown District. 

William Shanks, Presiding Eider. 
Charlestown — John Miller, Zacariah Games. 
New Albany and Jeffersonville — Thomas S. Hitt, 
Edward R. Ames. 

Corydon — George Locke, John Hasty. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 109 



Paoli — Henry S, Talbott. 
Bedford — Daniel Anderson. 
Lexington — John Daniel. 
Brownstown — Amos Sparks. 
Washington — Hakaliah Vredenburgh. 

Indianapolis District. 

Allen Wiley, Presiding Elder. 

Indianapolis— Calvin W. Ruter. 

Fall Creek — Isaac N. Ellsbury. 

White Lick — Thomas J. Brown. 

Vernon — To be supplied. 

Columbus— Charles Bonner. 

Rushville — Spencer W. Hunter, Isaac Kimball. 

Franklin — Asa Beck, Elijah Whitten. 

Bloomington — Samuel R. Brenton. 

Greencastle — Eli P. Farmer, Henry Deputy. 

Vincennes Distinct. 

James L. Thompson, Presiding Elder. 

Rockville — Joseph White, Enoch Wood. 

Terre Haute — Anthony F. Thompson, John Richey. 

Carlisle — William H. Smith. 

Vincennes — James Scott. 

Petersburg — Samuel Julian. 

Princeton — Enoch G. Wood. 

Boonville — Miles Huffaker. 

Lafayette — Richard Hargrave, Nehemiah B. Grif- 
fith. 

Frankfort — Stephen R. Ball. 
Crawfordsville — Lorenzo D. Smith. 
Pine Creek — Amasa Johnson. 

( 

Missionary District. 

James Armstrong, Superintendent. 

Upper Wabash Mission — Samuel C. Cooper. 



110 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



St. Joseph and South Bend Missions — Richard S. 
Robinson, George M. Beswick. 

Kalamazoo Mission — James T. Robe. 

Ft. Wayne Mission — James Armstrong. 

Michael S. Taylor and James Hadley transferred 
to the Illinois Conference. 

Alfred W. Arrington transferred to the Missouri 
Conference. 

SECOND SESSION OF THE INDIANA CONFERENCE, HELD IN 

MADISON, OCTOBER, 1833. 

Journal of the second Indiana Annual Conference, 
held in Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana, commenc- 
ing on the 16th of October, A. D. 1833. 

Wednesday morning, 9 o'clock, Conference met ac- 
cording to appointment, and was opened by Bishop 
Soule by reading a portion of the Holy Scriptures, 
singing and prayer. The list was called and the fol- 
lowing persons being present took their seats, viz. : 
James Havens, Joseph Tarkington, William Shanks, 
John T. Johnson, Hakaliah Vredenburgh, Allen Wiley, 
C. W. Ruter, Isaac N. Elsbury, Thomas I. Brown, 
James L. Thompson, William H. Smith, Ancil Beach, 
John Ritchie, Joseph Oglesby, Henry S. Talbott, Rich- 
ard Hargrave, N. B. Griffith, James Armstrong, Rob- 
ert Burns, Amos Sparks, Richard S. Robinson, Samuel 
Branton, Boyd Phelps, Miles Huffaker, Asa Beck, 
Charles Bonner, Isaac Kimble, Edward R. Ames. 

Conference proceeded to business. Bishop Soule in 
the chair. C. W. Ruter was nominated and elected 
Secretary. Conference proceeded to fix the time of 
meeting and adjournment: it was voted to meet at 8 
o'clock a. m., and adjourn at 11 and meet at 2 o'clock 
p. m. and adjourn at 6. 

The by-laws of the preceding session were read and 
adopted for the present session. Brothers James Ha- 
vens, Allen Wiley and W. M. Daily were nominated 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Ill 



and elected a committee to appoint the preachers to 
officiate and to superintend the congregations during 
Conference. 

Conference then proceeded to elect three Stewards 
to attend to the pecuniary matters of the Conference. 
William Shanks, Allen Wiley and James Armstrong 
were found to be duly elected to that committee. Con- 
ference proceeded to elect a committee to write the 
memoirs of the dead. A. Wiley, C. W. Ruter and 
James L. Thompson were found duly elected. 

On motion Brothers J. Armstrong, Allen Wiley and 
N. B. Griffith were appointed a committee to take into 
consideration the propriety of forming a Preacher's 
Aid Society within the bounds of this Conference to 
report as soon as possible. The President appointed 
A. Wiley, C. W. Ruter, James Havens, Thomas C. Hitt 
and N. B. Griffith a committee to examine the candi- 
dates for admission into full connection. 

Conference proceeded to the consideration of the 
first question on the minutes, viz. : Who are admitted 
on trial? The case of Eli Rogers was brought for- 
ward, but he was not admitted. The Presiding Elder 
has liberty to employ him when necessary. Whereupon 
the Conference adjourned. 

Wednesday, 2 o'clock p. m. Conference met pursu- 
ant to adjournment. The list was called, the journal 
read and approved. Conference then proceeded to 
business, Bishop Soule in the chair. 

Conference resumed the consideration of the first 
question on the minutes, and Edward Smith, William 
Campbell, William D. Watson, Jesse Harbin, William 
Clarke and Thomas Ray recommended from Vincennes 
District; John W. Sullivan, John Robbins, recom- 
mended from Madison District, all were admitted 
Sherwood P. Moore and Daniel Watkins were not ad- 
mitted, but the Presiding Elder has leave to employ 
them if thought proper. John A. Brouse, John W. 



112 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Holland, James Harrison, Samuel M. Reeve, Freeman 
Farnsworth and John Newell recommended from In- 
dianapolis District, were admitted; Richard C. Meek, 
recommended from Madison District, was admitted, 
but John Crouch was not admitted. 

Conference proceeded to the consideration of the 
second question on the minutes, viz. : Who remain on 
trial? And the characters of John Daniel, Henry 
Deputy, David Stiver, Elijah Whitton, Stephen R. 
Ball, Joseph White, Enoch Wood, Amasa Johnson, Hi- 
ram Griggs and Zechariah Games were severally ex- 
amined and continued on trial. John Hasty was dis- 
continued. Whereupon Conference adjourned. 

Thursday, 8 o'clock a. m. Conference met pursu- 
ant to adjournment, and was opened according to rule. 
The list was called, journal read and approved. Con- 
ference proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the 
chair. 

James Armstrong, James Havens and Allen Wiley 
were nominated and elected a committee to estimate 
the table expenses this year of Bishop Roberts. N. B. 
Griffith, Samuel C. Cooper, William Shanks, James 
Armstrong and Thomas I. Brown were elected a Mis- 
sionary Committee, according to the provisions of the 
Discipline. 

Conference proceeded to the examination of the 
character of the Deacons of one year's standing, and 
the characters of John C. Smith, Ancil Beach, Isaac 
Kimble, Henry S. Talbott, John Ritchie, E. R. Ames, 
and Spencer W. Hunter were severally examined, ap- 
proved and passed. The case of Brother Anthony S. 
Thompson was called when it was announced that after 
laboring faithfully and usefully during the first quar- 
ter of the past year he sank under affliction and finally 
died in great peace. Conference then proceeded to the 
consideration of the third question on the minutes, 
viz. : Who are admitted into full connection ? George 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 113 



M. Beswick, Nathan Fairchild, William M. Daily, 
James T. Robe and Cornelius Swank, having been pre- 
viously examined by the committee on education, were 
called forward, examined and admonished before the 
Conference by Bishop Soule as the Discipline directs, 
after which their characters were severally examined, 
approved and admitted, and they were elected to Dea- 
con's Orders, except Brother Fairchild, who was not 
admitted. Whereupon Conference adjourned. 

Thursday, 2 o'clock p. m. Conference met pursu- 
ant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. 
The list was called, Journal read and approved, and 
proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair. The 
Stewards spent some time in attending to the pecu- 
niary affairs of the Conference. 

The President presented a communication from the 
Agents of the New York, containing an exhibit of the 
Book Concern of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Also a communication from the same agents relative 
to the propriety of establishing a paper in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, to bear the same relation to the Church as the 
Christian Advocate and Journal, and on motion the 
said communications were referred to a committee of 
five, C. W. Ruter, E. R. Ames, James Armstrong, Al- 
len Wiley, and William Shanks. 

A communication was received and read from the 
Ohio Conference on the same subject, which on motion 
was referred to the same committee. 

Conference took up the case of Robert Johnson and 
after due consideration he was discontinued. The case 
of Philip May was taken up and recommended for ad- 
mission into the traveling connection, was admitted. 
On motion resolved that the Presiding Elder have 
leave to employ N. Fairchild. Conference proceeded 
to the consideration of the characters of the candidates 
for Elder's Orders. Samuel Brinton, R. S. Robinson, 

(8) 



114 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



and Boyd Phelps were examined. Brothers Phelps and 
Robinson were elected. Conference adjourned. 

Friday, 8 o'clock a. m. Conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule and 
proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair. The 
committee appointed to estimate the table expenses of 
Bishop Roberts for the ensuing year reported the 
amount to be $250. On motion E. R. Ames, Joseph 
Oglesby and Ancil Beach were appointed a committee 
to inquire into the manner in which the preachers of 
this conference have discharged their duty during the 
past year as it relates to the subjects of Sabbath 
Schools, Tracts and Bible Societies and report as soon 
as practicable. 

Conference resumed the consideration of charac- 
ters of those eligible to Elder's Orders. The charac- 
ters of Miles Huffaker, Asa Beck, Charles Bonner, Lo- 
renzo D. Smith, were severally examined and elected. 
Conference proceeded to the examination of local 
preachers presented for Deacon's Orders. Alfred S. 
Cotton and David Stiver, recommended from Madison 
District; C. Garner, from Charlestown District; Dan- 
iel Watkins, Joseph Wheeler, Samuel A. Steward, 
Thomas Ray, from Vincennes District; Timothy Hunt 
and Stephen Masters, recommended from Indianapolis 
District, were elected. John McEwin and John K. 
Davison were not elected. 

Conference proceeded to the consideration of the 
examination of the characters of local Deacons, recom- 
mended for Elder's Orders. Thomas McCool and Amos 
B. Cobb were recommended from Kalamazoo Mission 
District and elected to that office. Conference pro- 
ceeded to the examination of the characters of Elders 
James Havens, John Kern, Joseph Oglesby, Joseph 
Tarkington, John W. McReynolds, William Shanks, 
John Miller, Thomas I. Hitt, George Lock, Daniel An- 
derson, John T. Johnson, Hackaliah Vredenburgh, A. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 115 

Wiley, C. W. Ruter, Isaac N. Elsberry, Thomas J. 
Brown, Eli P. Farmer, James L. Thompson, William 
H. Smith, were severally examined, approved and 
passed. Brothers Hitt, Lock and Anderson received a 
superannuated relation, and Brother Farmer received 
a location at his own request. The case of James Scott 
was called and a motion was made that he receive a 
location, but before the question was taken the Con- 
ference adjourned. 

Friday, 2 o'clock p. m. Conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule. 
Conference proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the 
chair. Resumed the consideration of the characters 
of Elders and the case of Brother Scott being called 
up, on motion, received a location. 

The character of Richard Hargrave, N. B. Griffith, 
Samuel Julian, Enoch G. Wood, James Armstrong, 
Samuel C. Cooler, Amos Sparks and Robert Burns 
were severally examined, approved and passed, and 
Brother Burns received a superannuated relation. 

The name of Brother Strange was called when it 
was announced that he died in great peace on the 2d 
of December last, and on motion resolved the commit- 
tee of appointments be requested to select some one to 
preach next Sabbath on the death of Brothers Strange 
and Thompson. 

The committee on Missionary affairs presented 
their report which was read and adopted. On motion 
resolved that the Presiding Elder in whose District 
Brother Johnson may reside, shall have leave to em- 
ploy him if necessary the ensuing year. The agent ap- 
pointed last year to inquire into the estate of the leg- 
acy left by James Paxton, deceased, for the benefit of 
the M. E. Church in Indiana, presented his report, 
which was read and on motion was adopted. 

On motion C. W. Ruter and James L. Thompson 
were appointed agents to attend the next Illinois An- 



116 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



nual Conference to adjust the business relative to the 
legacy of Samuel Paxton, deceased, left by him for the 
benefit of the M. E. Church in Indiana, and ordered 
that so much of the will of James Paxton as relates 
to the said legacy be spread on the journal of this Con- 
ference, which is as follows, viz. : "I hereby give and 
bequeath to Calvin Fletcher, James Armstrong and 
James Given as trustees five hundred dollars for the 
use and benefit of the Illinois Annual Conference of 
the M. E. Church to be appropriated by said Confer- 
ence to the best of their judgment in extending the 
work of the Lord in the bounds of the State of Indiana, 
helping the most needy preachers belonging to that 
Church either effective or superannuated, which 
amount is to be paid over by said trustees as soon as 
convenient." 

A. Wiley was appointed agent by this Conference 
to attend to receiving the legacy left by Isaac Swear- 
ingin for the benefit of the M. E. Church in Indiana. 
On motion Conference adjourned. 

Saturday, 8 o'clock a. m. Conference met pursu- 
ant to adjournment and (was) opened according to 
rule. The list was read and Journal (approved) . Con- 
ference proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the 
chair. 

The committee appointed to collect information on 
the subjects of Sunday School Bible and Tract Socie- 
ties, presented their report, which was read and 
adopted. And on motion the list was called and every 
preacher required to answer for himself in case of 
delinquency, which was done accordingly. On motion, 
resolved that when Conference adjourns, its present 
session not to meet again until Monday morning at the 
appointed hour. 

On motion Brother A. Wiley was appointed to 
preach the funeral sermon of Brothers Strange and 
Thompson at 3 o'clock p. m. tomorrow. The commit- 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 117 



tee appointed to take into consideration the expedi- 
ency of forming a Methodist Preacher's Aid Society 
presented their report, which was read and adopted, 
and Conference proceeded to elect James Armstrong, 
Alien Wiley, C. W. Ruter as a committee to prepare a 
Constitution for the above named Society and report 
to the next Annual Conference. 

Joshua Law, a local preacher recommended from 
Indianapolis District for Deacon's Orders, was elected, 
being properly recommended, was admitted on trial, 
in the traveling connection, with the understanding 
that his children should not be claimants on this Con- 
ference. Samuel Brenton and Asa Beck, at their own 
request, received a location. The committee to whom 
was referred the communication from the Agents at 
New York relative to the establishment of a periodical 
in the West presented their report which was read 
and adopted unanimously. The report is as follows : 

1st. Resolved, That in the opinion of this Confer- 
ence the establishment of a weekly paper in the city of 
Cincinnati under the control of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church as is the Christian Advocate and Journal, 
is highly expedient, and that the interest of the West- 
ern Conferences require it. 

2d. That the agents at New York and their 
proper advisors have the right and may authorize the 
agents and Book Committee at Cincinnati to establish 
such a paper in the interval of General Conference and 
appoint an editor for the same. 

3d. That the establishment of such a paper would 
receive the united support of the Indiana Annual Con- 
ference as well as their entire approbation. All of 
which is respectfully submitted. 

C. W. RUTER, 
Chairman of the Committee. 

1 "The Western Christian Advocate" began publication in 1834, 
with Charles Elliott as the editor. From the first issue until the 



118 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Conference proceeded to fix the place of holding 
their next session, and on counting the votes it was 
found that Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana, had 
the majority, and was announced as the place for the 
next session of this Conference to be held, which will 
be on the 22d of October, 1834. Conference voted to 
draw on the book (Concern) room for four hundred 
dollars and on the chartered fund for seventy-five dol- 
lars. Whereupon Conference adjourned. 

Monday, 8 o'clock a. m. Conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule. The 
list was called and journal read and approved. Con- 
ference proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the 
chair. 

The Missionary Committee presented their report, 
fixing the amount necessary for the support of the 
Missions within the bounds of this Conference, which 



are as follows : 

For Tippecanoe and Eel River Mission $ 75.00 

For Miscellaneous Mission 75.00 

For Maumee and St. Moriah Mission 75.00 

For Kalamazoo Mission 50.00 

For the Superintendent of those 100.00 



$275.00 

On motion the Conference reconsidered the vote by 
which they refused to receive Daniel Watkins on trial 
into the traveling connection, and after due delibera- 
tion he was admitted. 

On motion Conference reconsidered the vote by 
which Robert Johnson was discontinued and after due 
consideration he was continued on trial. On motion 
C. W. Ruter was appointed a committee to attend, as 

present it has maintained a high standard, and has been a great 
factor in the development of Methodism in the old Northwest. 
The library of DePauw University possesses the files of the West- 
ern, with only a few gaps, complete. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 119 



far as possible, to a proper adjustment of the papers 
of Brother J. Strange, deceased, and to make a collec- 
tion of any debts due him at the time of his death. A 
Constitution of a Bible, Tract and Sunday School So- 
cieties was read, and on motion was laid on the table. 
On motion Brothers Ames, Armstrong and Thompson 
were appointed a committee to take into consideration 
the expediency of forming this Conference into a Mis- 
sionary, Sunday School, Bible and Tract Society, aux- 
iliary to the parent Society at New York. 

The Committee on Memoirs presented their report 
which was read, containing a succinct account of the 
life and death of Brothers John Strange and Anthony 
Thompson deceased. Said report was adopted. Where- 
upon Conference adjourned. 

Monday, 2 o'clock p. m. Conference met according 
to adjournment and opened according to rule. Bishop 
Soule in the chair. Conference proceeded to business. 
The Committee relative to the Bible, Tract and Sunday 
School Society presented their report which was 
adopted and the Conference proceeded to the forma- 
tion of the society as directed by said report. A Con- 
stitution for Auxiliary Societies in the stations and 
Circuits within the bounds of this Conference was 
adopted. And on motion Brothers Boyd Phelps and 
John C. Smith were appointed to furnish each of the 
Presiding elders with a copy of the said Constitution. 

Resolved, That we, the members of the Indiana 
Annual Conference, will uniform ourselves in round- 
breasted coats and so appear at our next Annual Con- 
ference, should we be present. 

N. B. GRIFFITH, 
JAMES ARMSTRONG. 

Tuesday, 8 o'clock a. m. Conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule. List 
was called and the journal read, and Conference pro- 
ceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair. 



120 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



The Conference Stewards presented their report, 
which on motion was adopted. 

Resolved, That the thanks of this Conference be 
presented to the Masonic Fraternity for the use of 
their hall during the sitting of this Conference. 

Resolved, That the thanks of this Conference be 
presented to the citizens of this town for their hospi- 
tality to this Conference during their session among 
them. 

Resolved, That the thanks of this Conference be 
presented to the several religious denominations of 
this town, who offered their houses of worship for oc- 
cupancy on this occasion. 

On motion, A. Wiley, James Armstrong, James Ha- 
vens, James L. Thompson, William Shanks were ap- 
pointed a committee to make inquiries relative to the 
establishment of a Conference Seminary. 

The appointments were then read out, after which 
Conference adjourned its annual session. 

JOSHUA SOULE. 

C. W. RUTER, Secretary. 

APPOINTMENTS IN THE INDIANA CONFERENCE FOR 1833. 

Madison District. 

Allen Wiley, Presiding Elder. 
Madison Station — Lorenzo D. Smith. 
Vevay — Richard S. Robinson, John W. Holland. 
Lawrenceburg — William M. Daily, John Daniel. 
Whitewater — Charles Bonner, John Robbins. 
Wayne — John C. Smith, Isaac Kimball. 
Newcastle — Robert Burns, sup., one to be supplied. 
Connersville — John W. McReynolds, James Har- 
rison. 

Greensburg — Joseph Tarkington. 

Vernon — Joshua W. Law, Robert Johnson. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 121 



Charlestown District. 

William Shanks, Presiding Elder. 
New Albany — To be supplied. 
Jeffersonville — Edward R. Ames. 
Cory don — John Kerns, Elijah Whitten. 
Salem — Zecariah Games. 
Bedford — Hiram Greggs. 
Brownstown — John T. Johnson. 
Paoli — Henry S. Talbott, Jesse Harbin. 
Lexington — Joseph Oglesby. 

Indianapolis District. 

James Havens, Presiding Elder. — 
Indianapolis Station — Calvin Ruter. 
Indianapolis Circuit — John W. Sullivan. 
Fall Creek — Ancil Beach, Lemuel M. Reeves. 
Danville — Joseph White. 
Mooresville — Philip May. 
Columbus — Spencer W. Hunter. 
Rushviile — Isaac N. Ellsbury, David Stiver. 
Franklin — Amos Sparks. 
Bloomington — William H. Smith. 

Vincennes District. 

James L. Thompson, Presiding Elder. 
Carlisle — John Richey, James T. Robe. 
Petersburg — Samuel Julian. 
Princeton — Enoch G. Wood, Cornelius Swank. 
Boonville — Thomas Ray. 
Washington — Miles Huffaker. 
Terre Haute — Richard Hargrave, William Watson. 
Rockville — Samuel C. Cooper, Henry Deputy. 
Greencastle — Thomas J. Brown. 
Crawfordsville — John A. Brouse, Daniel Watkins. 
Lafayette — Nehemiah B. Griffiths, Hakaliah Vre- 
denburg. 



122 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Northwestern District. 

James Armstrong, Presiding Elder. 

St. Joseph — John Newell, Edward Smith. 

South Bend — Boyd Phelps. 

Pine Creek — William Clark. 

Carroll — Enoch Wood. 

Frankfort — Stephen R. Ball, William Campbell. 
Tippecanoe and Eel River Mission — Amasa John- 
son. 

Mississinaway Mission — Freeman Farnsworth. 
Maumee Mission — To be supplied. 
Kalamazoo Mission — Richard C. Meek. 

THIRD SESSION INDIANA CONFERENCE, 1834. 

Journal of the Third Indiana Annual Conference 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church held at Centerville, 
Wayne county, Indiana, commencing on the 22nd of 
October, A. D. 1834. 

Wednesday morning, 9 o'clock, conference met ac- 
cording to appointment and opened by Bishop Roberts 
by reading a portion of the Sacred Scriptures, singing 
and prayer. The list of membership was called and 
the following members having answered to their 
names, took their seats, viz : Allen Wiley, R. L. Rob- 
inson, William M. Daily, Charles Bonner, John C. 
Smith, Isaac Kimball, Joseph Tarkington, William 
Shanks, John Miller, George M. Beswick, Edward R. 
Ames, John Kern, John T. Johnson, Henry L. Talbott, 
Samuel C. Cooper, Boyd Phelps, Joseph Oglesby, James 
Havens, Calvin W. Ruter, Ancil Beach, Spencer W. 
Hunter, Amos Sparks, William H. Smith, James L. 
Thompson, John Ritchie, James T. Robe, Enoch G. 
Wood, Cornelius Swank, Miles HufTaker, R. Hargrave, 
Thomas J. Brown, Charles M. Holiday. 

Conference then proceeded to business, Bishop 
Roberts in the chair. C. W. Ruter was nominated and 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 123 



elected Secretary, and E. R. Ames Assistant Secretary. 
Conference proceeded to fix the time for meeting and 
adjournment as follows, to meet at 8 a. m. and ad- 
journ at 11:30 a. m. ; meet at 2 p. m. and adjourn at 
4 :30 p. m. 

A. Wiley, J. C. Smith, Isaac Kimball were appoint- 
ed a committee for the purpose of appointing the 
preachers to officiate and superintend the congrega- 
tions during the present session of conference. 

Conference proceeded to elect the Stewards; on 
counting the votes William Shanks, Allen Wiley and 
E. R. Ames were elected. 

On motion a committee of three were appointed to 
write the memoirs of the dead ; C. W. Ruter, B. Phelps 
and W. Shanks were appointed that committee. 

On motion a committee of five were appointed to 
examine the candidates for admission into full connec- 
tion; A. Wiley, C. W. Ruter, R. Burns, R. Hargrave 
and J. Havens were appointed that committee. 

On motion a committee of three were appointed, 
viz: E. G. Wood, H. L. Talbott, S. C. Cooper to adjust 
the accounts with the Book Concern at New York. 

Brother B. Phelps and C. W. Ruter were nominated 
to fill the vacancy in the missionary committee, 
occasioned by the death of James Armstrong and N. B. 
Griffith. 

The by-laws of the former session of this confer- 
ence were read and on motion, were adopted for the 
government of the present session. 

Conference proceeded to the consideration of the 
first question on the minutes. Joseph Carter, Thomas 
Bartlett, F. C. Holliday, Sanford L. Williams, Daniel 
H. Dickerson, recommended from Madison district, 
were admitted on trial. Colbert Hall was not admitted, 
but on motion the Presiding Elder has leave to employ 
him when he deems it expedient. James Jones re- 
admitted. William V. Daniel, Thomas Gum, John S. 



/ 



124 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Bayless, Lewis Hurlbert, Steward P. Moore and D. 
Stucker were recommended from Charlestown district, 
and admitted on trial. Conference then adjourned. 

Wednesday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment and was opened according to 
rule. Conference proceeded to business, Bishop Rob- 
berts in the chair. 

The President received some communications from 
the Book Agents at New York containing an exhibit of 
the concern, etc., which was read and on motion re- 
ferred to the book committee, and on motion, ordered 
that so much of it as concerns the fiscal condition of 
the concern be spread on the Journal of the conference. 

Asa Beck and Aaron Wood were readmitted into 
this conference. 

Conference resumed the consideration of the first 
question on the minutes. Isaac Owen and M. Reeder 
were recommended from Vincennes district and ad- 
mitted on trial and James Ross was readmitted. Eli 
Rogers, recommended from Pine Creek circuit, was 
not admitted. Thomas McCool and Gilbert Rose were 
recommended from the Northwestern district but not 
admitted. On motion the Presiding Elder has liberty 
to employ them if he deems it necessary. John Robin- 
son, recommended from the same district, was ad- 
mitted. 

On motion, the conference requested the Superin- 
tendent to transfer John Ray, 1 a superannuated 
preacher, from the Kentucky conference to this at his 
own request, with the understanding that neither him- 
self nor family should ever be claimants on this con- 
ference; which transfer was made accordingly. 

Conference proceeded to the consideration of the 
second question on the minutes, viz: Who remain on 
trial? William Watson was, on motion, discontinued, 
at his own request, in consequence of affliction. J. W. 

1 John Ray was an aged preacher, of Kentucky, who trans- 
ferred to Indiana in order to be near his son, Thomas Ray. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 125 



Sullivan discontinued at his own request. The char- 
acters of William Clark, J. A. Brouse, James S. Harri- 
son, Freeman Farnsworth and R. C. Meek were sever- 
ally examined and continued on trial. Joshua W. Law 
was discontinued. William Campbell, J. Harben, 
Thomas Ray, L. M. Reeves were examined and con- 
tinued on trial. John Robbins and Daniel Watkins 
were discontinued at their own request, J. W. Holland 
and Philip May were also discontinued. Whereupon 
conference adjourned. 

Thursday, 8 o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule and 
proceeded to business. Bishop Roberts in the chair. 
Conference voted to draw on the chartered fund for 
$75.00 and on the Book Concern for $600.00. 

On motion the vote was taken on yesterday by 
which John Robinson was admitted on trial was recon- 
sidered, and he was permitted to withdraw his applica- 
tion. The case of Edward Smith next came before the 
conference and the President (read) a letter from a 
friend in Warren county, informing the conference 
that Brother Smith departed this life on the 9th of 
October. 

Conference then proceeded to the consideration of 
the third question on the minutes, viz: Who were ad- 
mitted into full connection? Answer, I. Daniel, David 
Stiver, Joseph White, Enoch Wood, Elijah Whitten 
and Amasa Johnson, having been previously examined 
by the committee appointed for that purpose, were 
called up and examined before the conference as the 
discipline directs, after which their characters were 
examined and passed, and elected to Deacons' Orders, 
except Brothers Stiver and Johnson, who were pre- 
viously ordained as local preachers. Zac. Games, S. R. 
Ball, Hiram Grigg were continued on trial at their 
own request. Robert Johnson and Henry Deputy were 
discontinued. Whereupon conference adjourned. 



126 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Thursday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule. 
Conference proceeded to business, Bishop Roberts in 
the chair. Conference proceeded to the consideration 
of the third question on the minutes, viz: Who are 
Deacons? William M. Daily, George M. Beswick, T. 
Robe and Cornelius Swank, the characters of whom 
were severally examined and passed. The characters 
of John C. Smith, Issac Kimball, John Ritchie, S. W. 
Hunter, A. Beach, Henry Talbott and E. R. Ames were 
severally examined, approved and passed; also elected 
to Elders Orders. Isaac Kimball asked and obtained 
a location. 

Conference proceeded to the examination of the 
characters of Elders. Allen Wiley, L. D. Smith, R. S. 
Robinson, C. Bonner, R. Burns, J. W. McReynolds, 
Joseph Tarkington, William Shanks, J. Miller, J. Kern, 
J. T. Johnson, J. Oglesby, J. Havens, C. W. Ruter, J. 
N. Ellsbury, A. Sparks, W. H. Smith, J. L. Thompson, 
Samuel Julian, E. G. Wood, Miles Huffaker, R. Har- 
grave, S. C. Cooper, T. J. Brown, H. Vredenburgh, B. 
Phelps, T. S. Hitt and D. Anderson were severally ex- 
amined and approved. L. D. Smith, J. N. Salisbury 
and T. S. Hitt each asked and received a location. The 
relation of R. Burns was changed from supernumerary 
to effectual. The names of Brothers G. Lock, N. B. 
Griffith and James Armstrong were called when it was 
announced that during the past year they finished 
their labors and died in peace. James Ray, by vote of 
conference, was continued in a supernumerary rela- 
tion. Whereupon conference adjourned. 

Friday, 8 o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant to 
adjournment and was opened according to rule. Jour- 
nal read and approved, Bishop Roberts in the chair. 
Conference proceeded to business. On motion, con- 
ference reconsidered the vote that changed the hour of 
morning sitting and fixed the hour at 8 :30 a. m. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 127 



Conference proceeded to elect by ballot some per- 
son to preach the funeral of the said deceased brethren 
and Bishop Roberts was elected. Henry S. Talbott 
asked and obtained the supernumerary relation. 

The vote by which W. Watson was discontinued 
was reconsidered and he was continued on trial. John 
Newel was discontinued at his own request. 

The following resolution was presented and ac- 
cepted, viz : Resolved, that this conference memorialize 
the Legislature of this state, praying that that honor- 
able body, in their wisdom, to devise some measures 
by which the principal denominations of Christians in 
this state may have their due proportion of influence 
in the faculty of the State College at Bloomington and 
that a committee of three be appointed to draft a 
memorial and present it as soon as practical. 

Resolved, second, That Presiding Elder and preach- 
er in charge use their influence to have the people to 
petition the Legislature on the same subject, and that 
a committee of three be appointed to draft a form suit- 
able for such a petition. 2 

(Signed) C. W. RUTER. 

WILLIAM SHANKS. 

2 Before any definite steps were taken to establish a Methodist 
college in Indiana, the Indiana Conference made an attempt to 
get the State Legislature to change the method of electing trus- 
tees for the State college at Bloomington. The Methodist objec- 
tions to the State college as it then existed were: (1) The in- 
stitution was regarded as belonging to the Presbyterian church. 

It was listed in the catalogue of Presbyterian colleges. (2) The ' 
religious beliefs of Methodist students were not respected. (3) Ef- 
forts were made to convince the public that none but Presby- 
terians were competent to teach in higher institutions of learn- 
ing, and (4) under the existing system no Methodist could be 
represented on the board of trustees, although the Methodists 
were the most numerous religious sect in the State. (F. C. Holli- 
day "Life and Times of Allen Wiley." pp. 71-72.) Seven petitions 
were presented to the Indiana Legislature in 1834, asking for "a 
reform in the economy of Indiana college." (House Journal, 1834, 
pp. 82, 148, 155, 228, 236, 293, 368.) 



128 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 

C. W. Ruter, William Shanks and Allen Wiley were 
appointed that committee. 

Conference proceeded to the consideration of the 
case of local preachers recommended for Deacons 
Orders. Joseph Hutchens, Adam Bruner, G. W. Walk- 
er, Lewis Hurlbert and Jonathan Broady (a man of 
color), C. B. Jones, J. B. Dawson, Joseph Springer, 
Isaac Merrill and William M. Reyburn were duly 
elected to that office. 

Conference proceeded to the consideration of the 
case of local deacons recommended for Elders Orders. 
Joseph Carter, Charles M. Morrow and Ebenezer Fair- 
child were duly elected to that office. 

The committee appointed to write the memoirs of 
the dead presented their report containing the memoirs 
of Brothers Armstrong, Lock and Griffith, which were 
read and accepted. 

The conference having requested the superintend- 
ent to decide whether the widow of Brother A. F. 
Thompson, deceased, be a legal claimant on the funds 
of this conference. He decided in the affirmative. 

On motion, E. R. Ames was elected to fill the 
vacancy occasioned by the death of James Armstrong 
in the committee appointed at a former session of this 
conference to draught a Constitution for the Preach- 
er's Aid Society. 

Resolved, That in future the preachers in return- 
ing the numbers in society specify the number of local 
preachers, meeting houses and parsonages within the 
bounds of this conference. 

Whereupon conference adjourned. 

Friday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant to 
adjournment and was opened according to rule, Jour- 
nal read and approved, conference proceeded to busi- 
ness, Bishop Roberts in the chair. Conference pro- 
ceeded to take the numbers of local preachers and the 
number of meeting houses. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



129 



On motion, the conference reconsidered the vote 
by which James H. Ross was readmitted into this con- 
ference, and on taking the vote a second time he was 
not readmitted, but on motion the Presiding Elder has 
leave to employ him should he deem it necessary. 

Conference proceeded to ascertain the most suitable 
place to hold its next annual session, and on counting 
the votes, it was decided to be held at Lafayette, Tip- 
pecanoe county, Indiana, to commence on the 14th of 
October, 1835. 

Whereupon conference adjourned. 

Saturday, 8 :30 o'clock a. m., conference met pursu- 
ant to adjournment and was opened according to rule, 
Bishop Roberts in the chair, conference proceeded to 
business. 

The committee appointed by conference at its last 
session to attend the Illinois conference for the pur- 
pose of adjusting the business relative to the bequest 
made by James Paxton, deceased, to said conference, 
made their report, which was accepted, and the pre- 
amble and resolutions of said conference were ordered 
to be spread on the Journal of this conference, which 
are as follows: "Whereas, James Paxton, late of the 
county of Marion and state of Indiana, deceased, did 
on the third day of April, A. D. 1829, by his last will 
and testament, among other things, make the follow- 
ing bequest, viz : I hereby give and bequest to Calvin 
W. Fletcher, Rev. James Armstrong and James Havens 
as Trustees, five hundred dollars for the use and bene- 
fit of the Illinois Annual Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, to be appropriated by the said con- 
ference to the best of their judgment in extending the 
work of the Lord in the bounds of the state of Indiana, 
helping the most needy preachers belonging to said 
Church, either effective or superannuated, which 
amount is to be paid over by the said Trustees as soon 
as convenient. And since that time the General Con- 



(9) 



130 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church held in 
Philadelphia on the 1st of May, 1832, the said Illinois 
Conference was divided and the state of Indiana in- 
cluding a small part of Michigan Territory, formed into 
a separate conference, denominated the Indiana con- 
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Therefore, 
be it resolved, First, by the members of the Illinois 
annual conference in session assembled, that we do 
hereby request the said Indiana annual conference to 
receive and appropriate said bequest according to the 
best of their judgment in extending the work of the 
Lord in the bounds of the state of Indiana, by helping 
the most needy preachers, belonging to said confer- 
ence, either effective or superannuated, according to 
the original design and intent of the testator. And we 
do hereby, the said Trustees, pay over the said amount 
of the bequest to the Indiana annual conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Resolved, that the fore- 
going preamble and resolutions be spread on the Jour- 
nals of this conference ; and that a copy hereof, signed 
by the President and countersigned by the Secretary, 
be forwarded to the said Indiana conference, to be by 
them spread on the Journals of their conference. Done 
at Mount Carmel, Illinois, October 3rd, 1834. 

PETER AKERS, 
S. H. THOMPSON, 

Committee. 

The above preamble and resolutions were adopted 
as the report of their committee and spread upon their 
Journal by the Illinois annual conference, during their 
session at Mount Carmel, Illinois, beginning on the 1st 
day of October, 1834. 

(Signed) R. R. ROBERTS. 
JOHN MITCHELL, Secretary. 

Conference then proceeded to elect an agent to re- 
ceive the money thus bequeathed to this conference, by 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 131 



James Paxton deceased, and on counting the votes, C. 
W. Ruter was declared duly elected. A request was 
presented from the Illinois annual conference that this 
conference pay the expenses of an agent sent by that 
conference to this, last fall and on a motion made that 
(the) request be granted, which motion was lost. 

On motion, the book committee was requested to 
draw off the accounts in their hands that are unpaid 
and put them in the hands of the preachers who may 
be sent to those places where the debtors reside for 
colllection. 

The committee appointed at the last session of the 
conference to draft a constitution for the Preacher's 
Aid Society, presented their report containing a form 
of a constitution which was read, amended and 
adopted. Conference voted that they proceed imme- 
diately on the adjournment of the present sitting to 
form such a society. 

On motion, the conference adjourned until Monday 
at 8 :30 o'clock. 

Monday, 8:30 o'clock a. m., conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment and was opened according to 
rule. Conference proceeded to business, Bishop Rob- 
erts in the chair. C. W. Ruter presented a draft of a 
constitution for auxiliary societies to the Preacher's 
Aid Society of the Indiana annual conference which 
was read, amended and adopted. And on motion, J. C. 
Smith was appointed a committee to procure the print- 
ing of 300 copies for the use of the preachers who be- 
long to this conference. On motion, the vote by which 
I. Kimball was located, was reconsidered. 

The Book Agent from Cincinnati presented a com- 
munication containing a report from the book commit- 
tee, which was read. 

On motion, Resolved, That for the ensuing year we 
will use increased exertions to promote the circulation 
of the Western Christian Advocate, and that a copy of 



132 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



this resolution be forwarded to the editor for publica- 
tion. 

The committee appointed to draft a memorial in 
behalf of this conference to the Legislature of this 
state relative to (the) State College at Bloomington, 
presented their report, which was read, and on motion, 
was adopted ; which report read as follows : 

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
General Assembly of the State of Indiana. Your 
memorialists represent to your honorable body, that 
they in common with their fellow citizens, recognize 
in the munificent grant of lands by the general govern- 
ment to our state (for the purpose of endowing a 
state institution of learning) a corresponding obliga- 
tion on our part so to manage it as not to defeat the 
charitable bequest of our common country. We feel 
that cause of complaint exists in regard to this matter, 
yet we do not approach your honorable body as irri- 
tated and injured individuals asking for the redress of 
private wrongs, but as patrons and advocates of gen- 
eral science, pleading her cause and imploring you in 
your paternal character to open her prison doors. We 
would impress it upon your honorable body that the 
Literature belongs to no one denomination of persons, 
and that no one exclusively should be allowed to possess 
the keys that unlock her treasures. We apprehend 
that the funds of our state college were designed by 
their munificient donors to patronize science and ad- 
vocate the cause of general literature and not of reli- 
gious sects, and should it be divested from its original 
design (directly or indirectly) the donors are despoiled 
of a rich inheritance, and the legacy itself betrayed 
to a very questionable purpose. We feel a deep and 
abiding interest in the success of the institution, we 
recognize in the provision of its constitution, (and 
particularly 10th section) the generous confiding spirit 
in which its powers and functions were bestowed, as it 



CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 133 



were, in the absence of every uncharitable feeling or 
suspicion, that the hydra of sectarianism might erect 
its standard there, yet we in common with our fellow 
men of the state have to regret that our hopes in it 
have been disappointed. We look in its charter and 
read that the places of president, professors and tutors 
are open, soliciting capacity to occupy them without 
regard to religious professions or doctrines. We then 
turn our eyes on the faculty from the organization 
of the institution up to this hour, and we see one com- 
mon hue, one common religion characterize every 
member, as if capacity and fitness were confined to one 
church and one set of religious opinions. We have 
heretofore borne this without complaint and would 
now be silent, had we no higher object than to contend 
for the places and honors of the institution. But when 
we see the youth of our own and other churches volun- 
tarily abandoning and renouncing the institution be- 
cause the religion of their fathers (is but tolerated) 
and not domiciled : then we feel impelled by every con- 
sideration that looks to the future, and speak out, and 
invoke you to reclaim for the state, the power bestowed 
upon the Board of Trustees of filling their own vacan- 
cies, and give to them a fixed and definite term of office 
in future. This wholesome restraint would, it is firmly 
believed, bring to the service of the institution a due 
proportion from other religious denominations, and 
breathe into it a new spirit, full of life and vigor. Your 
memorialists, therefore, earnestly solicit your inter- 
ference in this matter, and that you may, in the prem- 
ises do what is best for the good of science, is the ear- 
nest prayer of your memorialists. " 

The committee appointed to draft a petition suit- 
able for the signatures of the citizens of this state, 
and send to the General Assembly, relative to the 
Bloomington College presented their report, which was 
read and adopted. On motion, J. A. Brouse, William 



134 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



M. Daily, B. Phelps, H. S. Talbott and J. S. Harrison 
were appointed a committee to furnish each preacher 
belonging to this conference with a copy of the same. 
Whereupon conference adjourned. 

Monday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule, 
Bishop Roberts in the chair, conference proceeded to 
business. On motion, resolved, that the Secretary fur- 
nish the editors of the Indiana Journal and Democrat, 
with a copy of the memorial relative (to) the Indiana 
College, with a request that they publish it, and that 
they request the editors to publish the same. Con- 
ference proceeded to the consideration of the 16th 
question on the minutes, viz: What has been raised 
on the different circuits and stations for Bible, tract 
and Sunday school purposes? 

Whereupon conference adjourned. 

Tuesday, 8:30 o'clock a. m., conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment and was opened according to 
rule. Conference proceeded to business, Bishop Rob- 
erts in the chair. On motion, the vote of this confer- 
ence on yesterday in reference to the publication of 
the memorial by the editors of the Democrat was re- 
considered, and the request withdrawn. On motion, 
the vote which made Eli Rogers a claimant on the 
funds of this conference was reconsidered, and the 
money appropriated to him by the stewards, was on 
motion, taken and put into the hands of the several 
Presiding Elders for the most necessitous cases. 

On motion, the conference appointed the first Fri- 
day in December, as a day of fasting and prayer with- 
in the bounds of this conference. 

On motion, Resolved, That this conference will 
patronize any seminary of learning which may be es- 
tablished within the bounds thereof, if desired, by ap- 
pointing a teacher if practicable, and if not, by en- 
deavouring to procure therefor a suitable teacher. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 135 



Resolved, second, That each preacher in this con- 
ference shall use his influence in trying to encourage 
the cause of common school education, and endeavor 
to procure suitable teachers for such schools when 
practicable. 

The stewards of conference presented their report 
which was read, and amended and adopted; and on 
motion, the amount which had been appropriated to 
J. N. Elisbury, together with a small balance remain- 
ing in the hands of the stewards, be paid into the treas- 
ury of the Preacher's Aid Society of the Indiana annual 
conference. 

Resolved, That the thanks of this conference be 
presented to the citizens of this place for having kind- 
ly entertained the members of the conference during 
the present session ; also to the Trustees of the County 
Seminary for the use of the building. On motion, the 
conference adjourned to meet at the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church at 3 o'clock p. m. 

Tuesday, 3 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment, and was opened according to rule; 
conference proceeded to business, Bishop Roberts in 
the chair. 

The missionary committee presented their report 
appropriating the amount necessary for the support 
of the missions within the bounds of this conference, 



which are as follows : 

Fort Wayne mission $ 75.00 

Kalamazoo mission 75.00 

The superintendent of said missions 100.00 

Otter Creek mission 150.00 

Troy mission 50.00 

Superintendent of said missions 30.00 

Logansport mission 50.00 

Superintendent said mission 15.00 



Which report was read and adopted. On motion, 



136 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



resolved, that the appointments of the preachers for 
the ensuing year be read, which after singing and 
prayer was accordingly done. Whereupon conference 
adjourned to meet at Lafayette, Indiana, October 13, 
1835. R. R. ROBERTS. 

C. W. RUTER, Secretary. 

APPOINTMENTS OF THE INDIANA CONFERENCE FOR 1834. 

Madison District. 

Allen Wiley, Presiding Elder. 
Madison — Enoch G. Wood. 
Vevay — J. Jones, one to be supplied. 
Lawrenceburg — Station, J. Daniel. 
Lawrenceburg — Circuit, C. M. Holliday, one to be 
supplied. 

Whitewater — J. W. McReynolds, J. S. Harrison. 
Greensburg — W. M. Dailey. 
Versailles — S. S. Williams. 
Vernon — T. Gunn. 

Charlestown District. 

William Shanks, Presiding Elder. 
Charlestown — Circuit, Joseph Tarkington, one to 
be supplied. 

New Albany — Station, C. W. Ruter. 
Jeffersonville — Station, W. V. Daniel. 
Corydon — Circuit, J. Kern, J. Harbin. 
Greenville — E. Whitten. 
Salem — J. Miller, J. S. Bayless. 
Paoli — D. Stucker, H. S. Talbott, sup. 
Lexington — G. M. Beswick. 

Indianapolis District. 

J. Havens, Presiding Elder. 
Indianapolis — Station, E. R. Ames. 
Indianapolis — Circuit, H. Griggs. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 137 



Rushville — Circuit, J. Carter, one to be supplied. 
Connersviile — Robert Burns, L. M. Reeve. 
Wayne — C. Bonner, F. C. Holliday. 
Winchester — D. H. Dickerson. 
Newcastle — Isaac Kimball. 
Pendleton — S. W. Hunter. 

Blooming ton District. 

J. Oglesby, Presiding Elder. 
Bloomington — Station, J. C. Smith. 
Bedford — J. T. Johnson. 
Brownstown — L. Hurlbert. 
Columbus — W. H. Smith. 
Franklin — A. Beach. 
Mooresville — A. Sparks. 
Danville — A. Beck. 

Greencastle — T. J. Brown, one to be supplied. 

Vincennes District. 

A. Wood, Presiding Elder. 

Vincennes — Station, Z. Games. 

Princeton — Circuit, J. A. Brouse, M. Reeder. 

Boonville — T. Ray. 

Troy Mission — E. Wood. 

Washington — S. Julian. 

Otter Creek Mission — I. Owen. 

Terre Haute — J. White, D. Stiver. 

Carlile— S. P. Moore. 

Crawfordsville District. 

J. L. Thompson, Presiding Elder. 
Crawfordsville — Circuit, A. Johnson. 
Rockville — S. C. Cooper, W. Campbell. 
Covington — J. Ritchie. 
Lafayette — W. Clarke, W. Watson. 
Frankfort — B. Phelps, one to be supplied. 



138 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Carroll — T. Bartlett. 

Logansport Mission — M. Huffaker. 

Pine Creek — H. Vredenburg. 

Laporte District. 

R. Hargrave, Presiding Elder. 
South Bend— Circuit, S. R. Ball. 
St. Joseph — R. S. Robinson. 
Cassapolis — R. C. Meek. 
Kalamazoo Mission — J. T. Robe. 
Ft. Wayne Mission — F. Farnsworth. 
Marion — Circuit, C. Swank. 

FOURTH SESSION INDIANA CONFERENCE, LAFAYETTE, 

1835. 

JOURNAL of the Fourth Indiana Annual Confer- 
ence of the Methodist Church, held at Lafayette, Tip- 
pecanoe county, Indiana, commencing October 14, 1835. 

Monday morning at 9 o'clock conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment and was opened by Bishop Rob- 
erts by reading a portion of the sacred Scriptures, 
singing and prayer. The list was called and the fol- 
lowing members answered to their names : 

A. Wiley, Charles Bonner, Enoch G. Wood, Joseph 
Oglesby, John Daniel, John C. Smith, Charles M. Holli- 
day, Ancil Beach, William M. Dailey, Asa Beck, Wil- 
liam Shanks, Aaron Wood, Joseph Tarkington, Joseph 
White, Calvin W. Ruter, James L. Thompson, John 
Kern, Amasa Johnson, John Miller, Samuel C. Cooper, 
Henry L. Talbott, Miles Huffaker, George M. Beswick, 
Hakaliah Vredenburg, James Havens, Richard Har- 
grave, E. R. Ames, Richard S. Robinson, James T. 
Robe, John Ray, Rodman Lewis, Thomas I. Brown. 

C. W. Ruter was nominated and elected secretary 
and E. R. Ames, assistant secretary. Conference pro- 
ceeded to establish the hour of meeting and adjourn- 
ment, which were as follows : Meet at 8 o'clock a. m. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 139 

and adjourn at 11:30; meet again at 2 p. m. and ad- 
journ at 4 p. m. 

Bros. James L. Thompson, H. Vedrenburgh and 
William M. Clark were elected a committee to appoint 
the preachers to officiate during the conference ; also to 
superintend the congregations. Conference then pro- 
ceeded to elect three stewards to attend to the pecu- 
niary concerns of the conference and in counting the 
votes, Allen Wiley, E. R. Ames and Samuel C. Cooper 
were declared duly elected. Bro. Rodman Lewis, an 
elder from New York conference, presented a cer- 
tificate of his transfer to this conference and took his 
seat as a member. 

The by-laws of the first session of this conference 
were, on motion, adopted for the government of the 
conference during this session. On motion, resolved, 
that a committee of three be appointed to attend to the 
books and periodicals, H. S. Talbott, I. C. Smith and 
William M. Dailey were appointed by the president as 
that committee. Conference proceeded to the con- 
sideration of the first question on the minutes, viz: 
Who are admitted on trial? Ebenezer Patrick, Isaac 
McElray, George C. Kunley were recommended from 
Charleston district and admitted, whereupon confer- 
ence adjourned. 

Wednesday at 2 o'clock p. m. conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment and was opened according to 
rule. Bishop Roberts in the chair, proceeded to busi- 
ness. Conference resumed the consideration of the 
first question on the minutes and John W. Sullivan, 
recommended from Charleston district, was admitted. 
H. I. Durbin, Colbert Hall and Jacob M. Stoddard 
were recommended from Madison district and ad- 
mitted. Charles W. Appleton and C. B. Jones, recom- 
mended from Indianapolis district, were admitted, but 
Charles M. Morrow, from the same district, was not 
admitted, but on motion, the Presiding Elder has leave 



140 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



to employ him should he deem it necessary. The book 
agent from Cincinnati presented a communication 
setting forth the condition of that branch of the con- 
cern, which wa sread. Conference resumed the con- 
sideration of the first question and Benjamin Grif- 
fith, recommended from Bloomington district, was ad- 
mitted. William Hibben, George Tevebaugh and War- 
ren Duncan, recommended from Vincennes district, 
were admitted. Israel L. Lewis and Eli Rogers, rec- 
ommended from Crawfordsville district, were ad- 
mitted. Conference adjourned. 

Thursday, 8 o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule and 
proceeded to business. Bishop Roberts in the chair. 
On motion, L. C. Cooper and Boyd Phelps were added 
to the committee appointed to superintend the con- 
gregations. On motion, the hour for conference to 
meet at 8 o'clock was changed to 8 :30 a. m. Confer- 
ence resumed the first question on the minutes and 
Daniel Demott, Elijah Sewall, William S. Mederis and 
E. Vanschoiack, recommended from Crawfordsville 
district, were admitted. Erastus Kellogg, Joseph 
Wolf, Thomas P. McCool and Stephen Jones were 
recommended from Laporte district and admitted and 
James V. Watson, Lorenzo D. Smith and George K. 
Hester w r ere readmitted. Samuel R. Brinton was not 
readmitted. On motion, resolved that no preacher 
employed by the Presiding Elder be considered a 
claimant on the funds of this conference; whereupon 
conference adjourned. 

Thursday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule and 
proceeded to business ; Bishop Roberts in the chair. 
The stewards spent sometime in attending to the pecu- 
niary concerns of the conference. Voted to draw on 
the chartered fund for ninety-one dollars, and on the 
book concern for eight hundred dollars. Conference 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 141 



proceeded to the consideration of the second question 
on the minutes, viz : Who remain on trial ? The char- 
acters of T. C. Holliday, Daniel H. Dickerson, Thomas 
Quinn, William C. Daniel, Thomas Bartlett, Seward P. 
Moore, Isaac Owen, Sanford S. Williams, John S. Bay- 
less, David Stucker, M. Reeder and Lewis Hulbert, 
each were examined and continued on trial. Confer- 
ence adjourned. 

Friday, 8 o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant to 
adjournment and was opened according to rule. Con- 
ference proceeded to business, Bishop Roberts in the 
chair. On motion, five were appointed to be denom- 
inated the committee on education. Allen Wiley, Wil- 
liam Shanks, C. W. Ruter, Rodman Lewis and E. R. 
Ames were appointed that committee. A communi- 
cation was received from the book agent at New York, 
which was read and filed among the conference papers. 
Conference proceeded to the consideration of the third 
question on the minutes, viz : Who were admitted into 
full connection? William Watson, John A. Brouse, 
Thomas Ray, Stephen R. Ball, Hiram Griggs, James S. 
Harrison, Lemuel L. Reeves, Isaac Games and William 
M. Clark, Richard C. Meek and Jesse Harbin having 
been previously examined by the committee on educa- 
tion, were called forward and questioned by the bishop 
and admonished as the discipline directs preparatory 
to their being admitted into full connection; after 
which their characters were severally examined and 
they were admitted and elected to Deacons Orders, ex- 
cept Bros. Clark, Ray and Games and Bros. Clark and 
Games were elected to Elders Orders. Bros. Freeman, 
Farnsworth and William Campbell were discontinued 
at their own request and Bro. Clark asked and obtained 
a location. 

Conference proceeded to the consideration of the 
fourth question on the minuetes, viz: Who are 
Deacons ? John Daniel, Amasa Johnson, Joseph White, 



142 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



David Stiver, Elijah Whitten and Enoch Wood and 
their characters were severally examined, approved 
and passed, and Bros. Johnson and Stiver elected 
to Elders Orders. Conference proceeded to the con- 
sideration of the fifth question on the minutes, viz: 
Who have been elected and ordained Elders? Wm. M. 
Dailey, George M. Beswick, James T. Robe and Cor- 
nelius Swank characters were severally examined and 
elected to Elders Orders. On motion, resolved that the 
members of this conference observe tomorrow as a day 
of fasting and humiliation and prayer. Conference 
adjourned. 

Friday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant to 
adjournment and was opened according to rule; con- 
ference proceeded to business, Bishop Roberts in the 
chair. Conference proceeded to the consideration of 
the case of the local preachers recommended for 
Deacons Orders. Stephen Liddle, Thomas Harget, 
William Northcott, John P. Edwards, Thomas Baker, 
Hanes Bartletf, Frances M. Richmond, Philip May and 
John Youngblood were duly elected to that office. Con- 
ference proceeded to the consideration of the case of 
the local deacons recommended for Elders Orders. 
Samuel Belaney and Elijah Barnes were elected to that 
office. Conference proceeded to the examination of 
the characters of Elders Allen Wiley, Enoch G. Wood, 
James Jones, Charles M. Holliday, William M. Rey- 
nolds, William Shanks, Joseph Tarkington, C. W. 
Ruter and John Burns, their characters were severally 
examined and passed. Bro. I. W. McReynolds asked 
and received a superannuation. Voted, that William 
Shanks be left without an appointment at his own re- 
quest the ensuing year. Conference adjourned. 

Saturday morning, 8 o'clock, conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment and was opened according to 
rule. Conference proceeded to business, Bishop Rob- 
erts in the chair. On motion the vote taken yesterday 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 143 



in the case of William Rector, was reconsidered and 
he was elected to the office of a deacon. Nathaniel 
Warren, recommended for Deacon's orders, and 
elected. Conference resumed the examination of the 
characters of the elders. John Miller, H. S. Talbott, 
James Havens, E. R. Ames, Robert Burns, Charles 
Bonner, Isaac Kimball, Spencer W. Hunter, were ex- 
amined, approved and passed. The relation of Bro. 
Talbott was changed from superannuate to effective. 
Bro. Kimball, through his representative, asked and 
obtained a location. Voted that Bro. J. W. Hunter be 
left without an appointment at his own request. The 
case of Bro. Oglesby was called up and objections were 
made to him on the ground that he had made expres- 
sions which were supposed to be inconsistent with the 
doctrines of our church and he was called upon to give 
explanations. After some considerable discussion, on 
motion, a committee of three, viz: C. W. Ruter, E. R. 
Ames and R. Lewis were appointed to draft a report 
and resolutions on the subject and present them to this 
conference at this afternoon's session. Conference ad- 
journed. 

Saturday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule, 
Bishop Roberts in the chair. Conference proceeded to 
business. The committee appointed in the case of Bro. 
Oglesby presented their report which was read and 
amended and in part adopted when, on motion, the 
further consideration of the case was laid over until 
Monday next. Conference adjourned. 

Monday, 8:30 o'clock a. m., conference met pursu- 
ant to adjournment and was opened according to rule, 
Bishop Roberts in the chair; conference proceeded to 
business. Conference resumed the consideration of 
Bro. Oglesby; the committee with permission with- 
drew that part of their report which conference had 
not acted upon and that part of the report which had 



144 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



been acted upon by the conference reads as follows : 
"Your committee appointed in the case of Bro. Oglesby 
have had the same under consideration and beg leave 
to report that they think Bro. Oglesby's manner of 
expression relative to the doctrine of human depravity 1 
objectionable (however sound he may be in principle) 
and in view of this we recommend to the conference 
the adoption of the following resolution, viz: Re- 
solved, That the conference respectfully request the 
superintendent to admonish Bro. Oglesby not to dis- 
seminate his peculiar views on that subject." 

The Bishop informed the conference that he had 
complied with the request and had conversed with and 
admonished Bro. Oglesby and that he received it in the 
spirit of christian humility and love. Bro. Oglesby 
then made a full explanation to the conference, which 
being perfectly satisfactory, his character was ap- 
proved and passed. The characters of John C. Smith, 
W. H. Smith, John T. Johnson, Ancel Beach, Amos 
Sparks, Asa Beck, Aaron Wood, Samuel I. James, L. 
Thompson, Samuel Julian, Samuel C. Cooper, John 
Ritchie, Boyd Phelps, Miles Huffaker, H. Vredenburgh, 
Richard Hargrave were severally examined, approved 
and passed. William H. Smith asked and obtained a 
superannuated relation and Amos Sparks and Samuel 
Julian located. Conference adjourned. 

Monday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule. 
Bishop Roberts in the chair, conference proceeded to 
business. Conference resumed the consideration of 
the characters of Elders. Richard L. Robinson, Daniel 
Anderson, John Ray and Thomas I. Brown were sever- 
ally examined, approved and passed. Bros. Ray and 
Robinson obtained a superannuated relation and Bro. 

1 Oglesby was suspected of leaning toward Pelagianism, a doc- 
trine denying the total depravity of man and insisting that man. 
by the decision of his will, made a conscious choice between good 
and evil. (Holliday. Indiana Methodism. 122.) 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 145 



Anderson asked and obtained a location. On motion, 
the vote by which John VV. Sullivan was admitted, was 
reconsidered, and after some discussion, the vote being 
taken, he was admitted on trial. Voted that confer- 
ence continue its present session until 4 :30 o'clock. 
Conference then proceeded to the election of delegates 
for the ensuing General Conference and on counting 
the votes, C, W. Ruter, Allen Wiley, James Haven and 
James L. Thompson were declared duly elected. Con- 
ference adjourned. 

Tuesday, 8 :30 a. m., conference met pursuant to 
adjournment and was opened according to rule; Bishop 
Roberts in the chair, conference proceeded to business. 
On motion, conference proceeded to elect two reserved 
delegates for the ensuing General Conference and on 
counting the votes, Aaron Wood and William Shanks 
were declared elected. The number of membership 
in the church being called for, was then reported. Con- 
ference then proceeded to the consideration of a suit- 
able place for holding the next session and on count- 
ing the votes, Indianapolis had a majority, and was 
announced as the place of holding the next session of 
this conference. Whereupon conference adjourned. 

Tuesday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule, 
Bishop Roberts in the chair; conference proceeded to 
business. On motion, resolved that a committee of 
three be appointed to draft resolutions on the subject 
of the abolition question, 2 and the superintendent ap- 

2 It might be interesting here to note that the sentiment of the 
Methodist church, while opposed to slavery as a moral wrong, 
was nevertheless strongly against abolition. Peter Cartwright. 
in his Autobiography, has the following to say about the church's 
attitude toward the slavery question : "Prior to the General Con- 
ference of 1836 the run-mad spirit of rabid abolitionism had 
broken out in some of the Eastern and Northern Conferences, and 
Methodist preachers were found by the dozen to quit their ap- 
propriate fields of labor, and their holy calling of saving souls. 



(10) 



146 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



pointed Rodman Lewis, Smith L. Robinson and John 
C. Smith said committee. The stewards of conference 
presented their report which was read and adopted 
and a balance being on hand was, on motion, voted by 
the conference to be paid over to Daniel Anderson. 
The committee on books and periodicals presented 
their report, which was read and adopted. C. W. 
Ruter, who was two years since appointed a commit- 
tee to adjust the papers of our deceased Bro. Strange, 
and if practicable collect any money that may be due 
to his estate, presented a verbal report, stated that he 
had not been able to collect any money and return the 
papers to the conference, and on motion, they were 
returned to the widow of Brother Strange by the hand 
of Brother Tarkington. The agent. C. W. Ruter, who 
was elected last year to receive the bequest of James 
Paxton, deceased, presented his report, which was 
adopted and his agency continued. Conference ad- 
journed. 

Wednesday, 8 :30 o'clock a. m., conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment, and was opened according to 
rule, and conference proceeded to business, Bishop 
Roberts in the chair. On motion, it was resolved that 
a committee of one be appointed whose duty it should 
be to have the memorial presented by this conference 
to the Legislature, last year, on the subject of the 
Bloomington College, published in some public journal, 

and turn out and become hired lecturers against slavery. . . . 
Dr. Fisk was a good man and true, and was as much opposed to 
slavery as any of them, yet he was for occupying real Methodist 
preacher ground, and bearing his plain, honest testimony against 
the moral evil of slavery, and not meddling with it politically 
only in a constitutional way" (p. 363.) 

In the General Conference of 1836 which met in Cincinnati. ;i 
resolution was passed condemning "Modern abolitionism, and 
wholly disclaiming any right, wish or intention to interfere in tbe 
civil and political relations between master and slave as it exists 
in the slave holding States of the Union." (Sweet. Metbodist 
Episcopal Church and the Civil War, p. 20.) 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 147 



in this state, with such remarks as he may think 
proper. C. W. Ruter was nominated and elected that 
committee. The Bishop then appointed a committee 
to examine the graduates at the next conference, Allen 
Wiley and William Shanks were appointed to examine 
on theology and church government; Aaron Wood on 
church history and geography; E. R. Ames on gram- 
mar, history, philosophy and logic, and C. W. Ruter 
on the books prescribed in the course of study. On 
motion, resolved that an agent be appointed to attend 
to and promote the interests of the Preacher's Aid So- 
ciety of the Indiana Annual Conference. The mission 
committee presented their report, which after being 
read, was adopted. The following resolution was laid 
before the conference: Resolved by the Indiana an- 
nual conference that the ensuing General Conference 
be requested to restore to our discipline Mr. Wesley's 
original rule on the subject of "Ardent Spirits" 3 a 
rising vote being called, 43 members present, all voted 
in the affirmative — said resolution was adopted. The 

3 This rule, which stated that "drunkenness, buying or selling 
of spirituous liquors, or drinking them, unless in eases of extreme 
necessity," should be avoided, had early been abandoned by the 
Methodist church in America. Under the ruling at this time only 
ministers were forbidden the buying and selling of liquors, mem- 
bers being permitted its sale, providing they permitted no disor- 
derly conduct on their premises. (Western Christian Advocate, 
September 18. 1835. Editorial on a similar resolution passed by 
the Ohio Conference.) 

Peter Cartwright in his account of his trip to the General 
Conference of 1824 at Baltimore, in the company of Jesse Walker, 
Samuel Thompson and a certain F. S.. states that at every stop 
F. S. and Walker called for spirits. Cartwright and Thompson 
protested, whereupon the other two preachers defended the prac- 
tice. Cartwright and Thompson then threatened to quit their 
company if they continued this practice, and in this way they 
were persuaded to stop using liquors for this time at least. This 
incident well illustrates the attitude of most Methodist people 
toward the use of liquors at this time. (Peter Cartwright' s Auto- 
biography, pp. 213-214.) 



I 



148 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 

committee on education presented their report which 
was read and recommitted with instructions to report 
in the afternoon session. The committee on abolition 
presented their report, which was read, and on motion, 
adopted. Conference adjourned. 

Wednesday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pursu- 
ant to adjournment and was opened according to rule, 
Bishop Roberts in the chair; conference proceeded to 
business. On motion, Brother Wiley was directed to 
pay to the treasurer of the Preacher's Aid Society the 
amount of the bequest of Swearingin, by him collected. 
The committee on education presented their report, 
embracing a plan for raising funds and establishing a 
college which was read and, on motion, adopted. The 
report read as follows : 

Your committee on the subject of education have 
had the same under consideration and beg leave to re- 
port that in their opinion the interest of the rising 
generation are deeply involved in the cause that shall 
be taken by this conference and that in view of the 
vast and increasing numbers within the bounds of the 
Indiana annual conference who are under the influence 
of Methodism and are looking to this branch of the 
church to give direction to the minds of the youth on 
the subject of education and in view of the relation 
in which we stand to the church and community as a 
body of ministers; it becomes our imperious duty to 
make a united and persevering effort to establish a 
system of education which shall meet the wishes or 
wants of the people who look to us to take the lead in 
this important undertaking. We therefore recommend 
to the conference the following plan for the raising of 
funds and establishing a college or university which 
shall be called the Indiana Asbury University of the 
Indiana annual conference: 

First. Let a stock be created to consist of an in- 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 149 



definite number of shares of one hundred dollars each, 
payable in money, to be put at interest or in notes 
bearing interest payable in five annual installments, 
and the interest to be paid annually at the time of pay- 
ing each instalment; provided that whenever a stock- 
holder shall commence sending a student he shall have 
paid at least one instalment. 

Second. Each stockholder shall be entitled in vir- 
tue of his share, to send one student to the college six 
years or twelve sessions, subject to all the regulations 
of the by-laws and if any one shall have more shares 
than one he shall be entitled to the privilege of sending 
more students than one according to his shares. 

Third. Any person who may desire it shall have 
the privilege of subscribing a half share or fifty dol- 
lars, and shall do it on the same terms of payment as 
those who take whole shares. And any person having 
a half stock may send one student for three years or 
six sessions. 

Fourth. Let ten thousand dollars be the endow- 
ment of a professorship. 

Fifth. Let two hundred and fifty dollars be the 
price of a scholarship for a term of 20 years. 

Sixth. Let donations of five dollars and upwards 
be obtained towards endowing a professorship and let 
those donations be received in money or notes bearing 
interest and payable in annual instalments of $5.00 
and the interest payable annually. 

Seventh. Let there be established a dollar sub- 
scription payable within the current year in money 
towards endowing the professorship above mentioned. 

Eighth. Let all the intinerant preachers and espe- 
cially Presiding Elders act with energy as agents and 
in addition to this let a special agent be appointed to 
travel within the bounds of this conference and solicit 
donations for carrying into full effect the foregoing 



150 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 

arrangements and if practicable another agent to 
travel elsewhere for the same purpose. 

Ninth. Petition the Legislature for an act of in- 
corporation fixing the number of trustees and so forth 
and for an endowment for one or more professorships. 

Tenth. Let there be a subscription paper circu- 
lated in two or more prominent towns by way of com- 
petition to ascertain in what place the greatest amount 
for erecting suitable buildings be given by the people 
on condition of its location among them or in their 
vicinity. 

Eleventh. At a convenient time send an agent 
into the eastern cities to obtain by donation books for 
a library* etc. All of which is respectfully submitted. 

On motion, resolved that the secretary furnish each 
Presiding Elder with an abstract of the report and on 
motion the conference proceeded to elect the several 
committees to act in the principal towns in this state 
to carry into effect the object contemplated in the 
tenth article. Rev. James Haven, John Wilkins and 
Calvin Fletcher at Indianapolis. Rev. A. Wiley, Hon. 
William Hendricks and John Woodburn in Madison. 
Rev. Aaron Wood, John Jackson, and Elisha U. Brown 
at Terre Haute were elected. On motion, resolved that 
a vote of thanks be given to the citizens of Lafayette 
for their kind hospitality to the members of this con- 
ference during its present session. On motion, resolved 
that a vote of thanks be given to the members of the 
Presbyterian Church for the use of their house during 
the session of this conference. Resolved that this con- 
ference instruct its delegates to the next General Con- 
ference to consent that the northern boundaries of 
this £tate shall be the bounds of this conference. 4 On 
motion, resolved that Rev. A. Wiley pay over to the 
treasurer of the Preachers' Aid Society the amount of 
money left in his hands by the last conference being 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 151 



the bequest of Swearinger. On motion, the appoint- 
ments were read out and conference adjourned. 

R. R. ROBERTS. 

C. W. RUTER, Secretary. 

APPOINTMENTS FOR 1835. 

Madison District, A. Wiley, Presiding Elder. 
Madison Station — W. V. Daniel. 
Vevay Circuit — J. Jones, H. J. Durbin. 
Lawrenceburg Circuit — R. Lewis, D. Stiver, J. V. 

Watson. 

Brookville — B. Phelps, L. M. Reeves. 
Liberty— G. M. Beswick, J. M. Stallard. 
Greensburg — C. Bonner. 
Versailles — M. HurTaker. 
Vernon — W. W. Hibben. 

Charlestown District — C. W. Ruter, Presiding 
Elder. 

Charlestown — I. M'Elroy, J. S. Bayless. 
New Albany Station — E. G. Wood. 
Jerfersonviile Station — Z. Games. 
Corydon — G. C. Shively, J. W. Sullivan. 
Greenville — J. Tarkington. 
Salem — J. Kern, M. Reeder. 
Paoli— E. Whitten. 
Lexington — G. K. Hester. 
Brownstown — E. Patrick. 

E. R. Ames, Agent for the Preachers' Aid Society. 
Indianapolis District — J. Havens, Presiding Elder. 
Indianapolis Station — J. C. Smith. 
Indianapolis Circuit — D. H. Dickerson. 

4 The Illinois Conference was divided in the general Confer- 
ence of 1832 and the Indiana Conference was formed out of the 
Western portion of it. This new conference included, in addition 
to the state of Indiana, a small portion of southern Michigan 
and Elizabethtown, Ohio. The above resolution simply asked that 
the conference include the state of Indiana alone. 



152 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Rushville — R. Burns, T. Gunn. 

Connersviile — J. T. Johnson, F. C. Holliday. 

Wayne — J. Carter, C. W. Appleton. 

Winchester — C. Hall. 

Newcastle — C. B. Jones. 

Pendleton — H. Griggs. 

Noblesville — J. Harbin. 

Marion — J. T. Robe. 

Bloomington District — J. Oglesby, Presiding Elder. 

Bloomington Station — W. M. Dailey. 

Bloomington Circuit — W. Duncan. 

Greencastle and Putnamville Stations — A. Johnson, 

Danville — I. G. Lewis. 

Mooresville Circuit — A. Beck. 

Franklin — T. J. Brown. 

Columbus — L. Hurlbert. 

Bedford— L. D. Smith. 

Vincennes District — A. Wood, Presiding Elder. 

Vincennes Station — J. Daniel. 

Princeton Circuit — G. Tevebaugh. 

Booneville — E. Vanschoick. 

Rome Mission — D. Stucker. 

Washington — J. White. 

Otter Creek Mission — S. C. Cooper. 

Terre Haute Station — S. L. Robinson. 

Terre Haute Circuit — T. Ray, T. Bartlett. 

Carlisle — E. Wood. 

Evansville — I. Owen. 

Crawfordsville District — J. L. Thompson, Presid- 
ing Elder. 

Crawfordsville Station — J. Miller. 
Crawfordsville Circuit — C. Swank. 
Rockville — E. Sewel, W. T. Madaras. 
Lafayette — C. M. Holliday, J. Richey. 
Lafayette Station — H. S. Talbott. 
Frankfort — A. Beach. 
Carroll — E. Rogers. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



153 



Pine Creek — H. Vredenburgh, W. Watson. 

Cole Creek Mission— D. DeMott. 

Lebanon Mission — B. Griffith. 

Laporte District — R. Hargrave, Presiding Elder. 

Laporte Circuit — R. C. Meek, one to be supplied. 

South Bend— J. Wolf. 

Cassopolis— T. P. McCool. 

St. Joseph — E. Kellogg. 

Elkhart— S. R. Ball. 

Kalamazoo — S. S. Williams. 

Fort Wayne Mission — J. S. Harrison. 

Deep River Mission — S. Jones. 

Logansport — J. A. Brouse. 

FIFTH SESSION OF THE INDIANA CONFERENCE, INDIAN- 
APOLIS, 1836. 

Journal of the fifth annual session of the Indiana 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church 1 held in 
Indianapolis, October 26, 1836. 

Wednesday, 9 o'clock a. m., Conference met ac- 
cording to appointment, and no superintendent being 
present, on motion Allen Wiley was called to the chair, 
who opened the conference by reading a portion of the 
Holy Scriptures, singing and prayer. The list was 
called and the following members being present an- 
swered to their names, viz. : Allen Wiley, Rodman 
Lewis, Lemual L. Reeve, Miles Huffaker, Enoch G. 
Wood, John Kern, E. R. Ames, John C. Smith, Amasa 
Johnson, Aaron Wood, Joseph White, Thomas Ray, 
James L. Thompson, Henry L. Talbott, H. Vredenburg, 
Stephen R. Ball, John A. Brouse, William H. Smith, 
James Jones, David Stiver, Charles Bonner, C. W. 
Ruter, Joseph Tarkington, Elijah Whitton, James Ha- 
vens, William M. Dailey, Thomas J. Brown, John Dan- 

1 The church was on the corner of Meridian and Circle streets. 
John S. Smith was the preacher in charge. (Indiana Methodism, 
Holliday. 272.) 



154 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



iel, Samuel C. Cooper, Enoch Wood, John Miller, Ancil 
Beach, Richard Hargrave, James L. Harrison, William 
Shanks, Richard L. Robinson. 

C. W. Ruter was chosen secretary and E. R. Ames 
assistant secretary. Conference then proceeded to 
elect by ballot a president pro tern, and on counting 
the votes Allen Wiley was declared duly elected. Con- 
ference then voted to fix the time of meeting at 8 
o'clock and adjournment at 12 m. James Havens, J. C. 
Smith and C. W. Ruter were nominated and elected a 
committee to appoint the preachers to officiate and to 
superintend the congregations. The by-laws of the first 
session of the Indiana Conference were read and 
adopted for the government of the conference of the 
present session. 

On motion of T. J. Brown, resolved, that during 
the session of this conference none of its members are 
to use tobacco or defile the floor by spitting, and every 
brother is particularly requested to avoid it. 

W. Shanks, E. R. Ames and S. C. Cooper were 
elected as conference stewards. 

On motion, resolved, that a committee of seven, one 
to be taken from each presiding elder's district, be 
appointed to be denominated as the Committee on Edu- 
cation, whose duty it shall be to inquire into the situa- 
tion of the place or places which may be prepared 
as suitable sites for the location of a Conference Col- 
lege, the amount subscribed at each, the general health 
of the town and surrounding country, their relative 
distance from the center of the conference and report 
the same to this conference as soon as possible. And 
that said committee be also directed to review the 
report of the Committee on Education of last confer- 
ence and suggest such additions as they may deem 
expedient. % 

Resolved, That a committee of seven, to consist of 
one preacher in charge from each district be appointed 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 155 



to be denominated the Committee on Itinerancy, whose 
duty it shall be to examine into the general state of 
the work within the bounds of the Indiana Conference 
and report any usages which in their opinion are in- 
consistent with the original design or spirit of our 
itinerancy and to report as soon as practicable. 

Conference proceeded to the consideration of the 
first question on the minutes, viz. : Who are admitted 
on trial ? William H. Goode and Ezra L. Kemp, recom- 
mended from Charlestown District, were admitted; 
John H. Bruce, William Fraley and Jared B. Mershon, 
recommended from Crawfordsville District, were ad- 
mitted. And the case of John M. Cole from the same 
district was on motion laid over. John F. Truslow, 
recommended from the Indianapolis District, and R. R. 
Bints, Anthony Robinson and Wade Poesy, recom- 
mended from Vincennes District, were admitted. 

The president announced the Committee on Educa- 
tion to consist of A. Wiley, C. W. Ruter, James Ha- 
vens, Joseph Oglesby, Aaron Wood, Samuel Thompson, 
and Richard Hargrave. And the Committee on Itin- 
erancy to consist of R. Lewis, S. G. Wood, J. C. Smith, 
T. J. Brown, John Daniel, J. Miller and R. S. Ball. 

Whereupon conference adjourned. 

Thursday, 8 o'clock a. m., Conference met pursu- 
ant to adjournment, and was opened according to rule, 
Mr. Allen Wiley in the chair. Conference proceeded 
to business. The case of John M. Cole was called up 
and he was admitted on trial. Isaac Kelso recom- 
mended from Vincennes District, Francis M. Rich- 
mond from Indianapolis District, James D. Sanford, 
George M. Boyd, Hawley B. Beers and Jacob Colclasier 
from Laporte District, William D. Cox, David J. Cox, 
G. C. Beeks from Madison District, Isaac Welch, Philip 
Seay, John Sinclair from Bloomington District, were 
admitted on trial, and James Scott was readmitted. 
Ezra Munson was not admitted but on motion the 



15ti CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Presiding Elder has leave to employ him when nec- 
essary. 

H. A. Tarkington applied for readmission but was 
rejected. A motion was made that Amos Sparks 
should be admitted but it did not prevail. It was de- 
cided by a vote of Conference that the children of those 
preachers who have received their table expenses in 
the bounds of their different fields of labor shall never- 
theless be claimants on quarterage money. Confer- 
ence then took up the second question, viz. : Who re- 
main on trial? Ebenezer Patrick, John W. Sulliman, 
Thomas P. McCool, Stephen Jones, Eli Rogers, Israel 
G. Lewis, Daniel Demott were continued on trial. 
George C. Shively and H. J. Durbin were discontinued 
at their own request. Joseph Wolf, William S. Me- 
daris and Elijah Vanschoik were discontinued. Coll- 
reth Hall, Jacob M. Stallard, Benjamin Griggith, W. 
W. Hibben were continued and Teverbaugh was dis- 
continued. 

Conference adjourned. 

Friday, 8 o'clock, conference met pursuant to ad- 
journment and was opened according to rule. Rev. A. 
Wiley in the chair. Conference proceeded to business. 
Conference then proceeded to the consideration of the 
second question in the minutes. Elijah Sewall was 
continued on trial and Warren Duncan was discontin- 
ued but on motion the presiding elder has leave to em- 
ploy him. C. W. Appleton was discontinued at his own 
request. C. B. Jones, Erastus Kellog and Isaac Mc- 
Elroy were continued on trial. Conference resumed 
the consideration of the first question on the minutes. 

Solomon Miller, recommended from Laporte Dis- 
trict, and John Newell, from Bloomington District, 
were admitted on trial. The report of the Committee 
on the Itinerancy of the last General Conference was 
presented, read and ordered to be spread on the Jour- 
nal. An address from the New York book agent was 



J 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 157 



read and on motion a committee of three was appointed 
to be denominated as the Book Committee to whom ail 
papers and those connected with the business should 
be referred. S. L. Robinson, William M. Dailey and 
A. Beach were appointed that committee. 

Resolved, That a copy of the said report on Itin- 
erancy be spread on the Journal of each Quarterly 
Meeting Conference. 

The stewards spent some time in attending to the 
pecuniary concerns of the Conference. 

Conference voted to draw on the Book Concern for 
four hundred dollars, and on the Chartered Fund for 
seventy-five dollars. On motion the vote taken yester- 
day on the Stephen Jones case was reconsidered and he 
was discontinued at his own request. 

Conference passed to the consideration of the third 
question on the minutes, William V. Daniel, Lewis 
Hulbert, Thomas Gunn, Thomas Bartlett, Isaac Owen, 
Sanford L. Williams and F. C. Holliday, having been 
previously examined by the committee appointed for 
that purpose, were called up by the president and ques- 
tioned as the discipline directs. Their characters were 
then examined and passed, and they were admitted into 
full connection. Also elected to Deacons Orders. Jo- 
seph Carter, D. H. Dickinson, S. P. Moore and M. 
Reeder were discontinued. J. S. Bayless and David 
Stucker were, at their own request, continued on trial. 

Conference adjourned. 

Saturday, 8 o'clock a. m., Conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule. 
Bishop Roberts having arrived took the chair and pro- 
ceeded to business. The Committee on Education pre- 
sented their report in part which was read, and after 
some amendments was adopted. 

On motion, resolved, that a member of each of the 
delegations from the different towns inviting the loca- 
tion of the proposed institution be invited to take a 



158 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



seat within the bar and take part in the discussion on 
the subject of its location, and General Howard, of 
Rockville; Doctor Cowgill, of Greencastle; J. Town- 
send, of Putnamville, and C. Fletcher, of Indianapolis, 
took their seats in Conference and after some discus- 
sion 4 the Conference adjourned to meet at 6 o'clock 
p. m. 

Saturday, 1 o'clock p. m., Conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule. 
Bishop Roberts was in the chair. Conference pro- 
ceeded to business. The subject of the location of the 
institution of learning was again brought up and the 
discussion continued. General Howard made a few 
additional remarks and also Doctor Cowgill. The Con- 
ference was then addressed by Esquire Townsend and 
followed by Doctor Talbott who was succeeded by Es- 
quire Fletcher. The discussion being closed, the Con- 
ference proceeded to fix, by ballot, the location of the 
said institution. And on the second balloting, Green- 
castle, of Putnam County, having the majority of all 
the votes given was fixed upon as the place for its 
location. 

It was then resolved that a vote of thanks be re- 
turned to the citizens of the several places which have 
solicited the location of our contemplated institution 
of learning for their liberal subscriptions and espe- 
cially to the citizens of Rockville. 

Conference then proceeded to the fourth question 
on the minutes, viz. : Who have been elected and or- 
dained Elders? The characters of John Daniels, 

4 Calvin Fletcher, representing Indianapolis, olid not labor 
hard for the institution, saying that it was not good for boys to 
be away from home in as large a place as Indianapolis would be 
some day. When General Howard admitted that there were some 
chills and fever at Rockville. Mr. Fletcher even admitted some 
even died at Indianapolis: but Dr. Cowgill said. "People never 
die at Greencastle; although for convenience they have a cemetery 
there.'* (Autobiography of Jas. Tarkington. pp. 131-132.) 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 159 



Thomas Ray, Joseph White, Elijah Whitton, Enoch 
Wood were severally examined and elected to Elder's 
Orders. 

Conference then took up the case of local preachers. 
The following were recommended for Deacon's Orders : 
William W. Hibben, John Kisling, Thomas F. Spillman 
and P. S. Silvy, from Madison District; Waller Ben- 
ton, Charles Bruner, John W. Sullivan, John Earn- 
heart and Thomas Ryson, from Charlestown District; 
John Robbins, John Romsil, F. Farnsworth, George 
Smith, John Alman, F. M. Richmond, William Perkins 
and Elijah Sims, from Indianapolis district; John 
Peters, William Terrel, John A. Spicer, John dinger 
and B. Bales, from Bloomington district; James Bon- 
ner, Samuel Barcourt, George Teverbaugh and Ben- 
jamin Bushnell (a man of color) from Vincennes dis- 
trict; C. Gem and Daniel Demott from Crawfordsville 
district; B. Robinson and Cyrus Spinlock from Laporte 
district; all of which were duly elected. 

Conference then took up the case of local deacons. 
The following were recommended for local Elders 
Orders : Alfred Phelps, Jonathan Shaw, Henry Rom- 
well, Thomas Lowry, E. Patrick, F. A. Stauderford 
and Edward Jones ; these were duly elected to that 
office. 

Conference adjourned. 

Monday, 8 o'clock a. m., conference met according 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule. 
Bishop Roberts was in the chair. 

The committee appointed to estimate the table ex- 
penses of Bishop Roberts reported an appropriation of 
three hundred dollars per annum, which was consented 
to by the conference. H. A. Tarkington, recommended 
for Elders Orders, was elected. The president ap- 
pointed A. Wiley, C. W. Ruter and S. L. Robinson to 
draft a charter for the institution of learning estab- 



L60 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



lished by this conference to be presented as soon as 
possible. 

Conference proceeded to the examination of the 
characters of Elders. Resolved, that conference sit 
with closed doors during the examination. 

The characters of A. Wiley, James Jones,"' J. W. 
Hunter, Rodman Lewis, Boyd Phelps, George M. Bes- 
wick, Charles Bonner, Miles Huffaker, C. W. Ruter, 
Enoch E. Wood, Joseph Tarkington, John Kern, L. 
Games and E. R. Ames were examined, approved and 
passed. James Haven's name was called and objec- 
tions being raised by Brother Oglesby, Brother Havens 
requested that a committee be appointed to investigate 
his character, and on motion, a committee of five, viz : 
A. Eddy, John Miller, A. Wood, John Kern and S. C. 
Cooper were appointed for that purpose. 

The characters of J. C. Smith, Robert Burns, J. T. 
Johnson were examined, approved and passed. 
Brothers Games, Burns and Johnston each asked and 
received location. 

The characters of James T. Robe, Wm. M. Dailey, 
Amasa Johnson, Asa Beck, Aaron Wood, S. C. Cooper, 
James L. Thompson, John Miller, Cornelius Swank, 
C. M. Holliday, John Richie, H. S. Talbott, Ancil 
Beach, H. Vredenburg, Richard Hargrave, William 
Shanks, John W. McReynolds, Wm. H. Smith, R. S. 
Robinson, John Ray, George H. Hester, David Stiver 
were severally examined, approved and passed. 
Brothers Beck and Richie asked and received a super- 
anuated relation. Brothers McReynolds, Ray and 
Smith were continued in the superanuated relation, 
and Wm. Shanks obtained a supernumerary relation 
and the relation of R. S. Robinson was changed from 
superanuated to effective. L. D. Smith was called and 

5 Rev. James Jones, while pastor at Lawrenceburg, during his 
second year, received almost 600 persons into the church. (J. C. 
Smith, "Early Methodism in Indiana," p. 193.) 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 161 



some objections being raised in consequence of his 
having failed to go to the work assigned him last con- 
ference, his character did not pass and by his repre- 
sentative asked and obtained a location. T. Truslow, a 
local preacher, was recommended for Deacons Orders 
and was elected and Wm. Hunt, recommended for 
Elders Orders, was elected. 
Conference adjourned. 

Tuesday, 8 o'clock a, m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule. 
Bishop Roberts was in the chair. Conference pro- 
ceeded to business. The stewards of the conference 
presented their report, which was read and accepted, 
said report declared a dividend of 42 per cent. The 
entire deficiency was $550.50, leaving a small balance 
in the hands of the stewards. 

On motion, Resolved, that hereafter any preacher 
failing to present to the stewards of conference, offi- 
cial statements of their claims and receipts, shall not 
have a claim on the funds of this conference. 

Resolved, that ten dollars of the surplus in the 
hands of the stewards be appropriated to D. H. Dick- 
erson and ten dollars to Asa Beck to make up a defici- 
ency that was made through a mistake in the case of 
those brethern last conference. 

Resolved, that monies appropriated to the children 
of our deceased brethern be forwarded to their sur- 
viving parent. 

Conference proceeded to the consideration of the 
fourth question on the minutes, viz : Who are the Dea- 
cons? The characters of W. D. Watson, John A. 
Brouse, Stephen R. Bail, Hiram Grigg, James L. Harri- 
son, R. C. Meek, J. C. Harbin, L. M. Reeves and J. V. 
Watson were severally examined, approved and passed 
and W. D. Watson and J. V. Watson asked and received 
location. 

The certificate of the recording steward of the 
(ii) 



162 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Danville circuit, signed by the president of quarterly- 
meeting conference, was submitted to this conference 
certifying that J. C. Faulkner, a local deacon who had 
been expelled from the church, was restored to his 
former standing and a motion was made that his parch- 
ments should be restored to him, which after some dis- 
cussion, the vote being taken, it was decided in the 
negative. 

On motion, the vote by which James Scott was re- 
admitted into this conference, was reconsidered, and 
after some discussion, Brother Scott was invited in to 
answer some questions on doctrinal points in order to 
satisfy the minds of some of the brethern, as to the 
soundness of his faith. He made some statements and 
answered several questions on the doctrine of original 
sin, which were proposed by the bishop and others. 
Upon retiring, a vote was taken and he was admitted 
a member of this conference. 

Resolved, that in our opinion the discipline does not 
authorize the expulsion of members for not paying 
quarterage. Resolved, that we disapprove of the course 
of Brother Oglesby in appropriating the fourth collec- 
tion not according to the discipline. 

Brother Oglesby, having retired, on motion, his 
character was passed and he received a superanuated 
relation. 

Conference adjourned. 

Wednesday, 8 o'clock a. m., conference met accord- 
ing to adjournment and was opened according to rule. 
Bishop Roberts in the chair and the conference pro- 
ceeded to business. 

Brother Oglesby asked and obtained a location. 
The book committee presented their report, which was 
read and accepted and ordered to be filed among the 
papers of the conference. 

The stewards spent some time in adjusting their 
business. On motion, J. White received the balance 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 163 



remaining in the steward's hands. Conference pro- 
ceeded to take the numbers in societies, etc. 

Conference then proceeded to elect by ballot two 
college agents and on counting the votes, Aaron Wood 
and John C. Smith were declared duly elected. The 
committee on itinerancy presented their report, which 
was read and adopted. 

Conference adjourned. 

Thursday, 8 o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule. The 
list was called, journal read and approved. Conference 
proceeded to business. Bishop Roberts in the chair. 
Brother S. L. Robinson, by his representation, asked 
and received a superanuated relation. 

The committee appointed to examine certain com- 
plaints made against James Havens, presented their 
report, which was as follows : The committee to whom 
were referred certain complaints against the character 
of James Havens have had the same under considera- 
tion and beg leave to report that after hearing all the 
evidence adduced in the case and bestowing the most 
careful investigation, your committee find nothing to 
support the accusations, nor anything that goes to 
impeach the character of Brother Havens, either 
directly or indirectly. 

Respectfully submitted, 

A. EDDY, Chairman. 

Which report, having been read, was on motion, 
adopted, and his character approved and passed. 

The case of Joseph Ogiesby was called and some 
objections in the form of charges were made against 
him by a local preacher from Bedford circuit. 

First, for ordering the stewards and leaders of 
Bedford circuit to bring before the church all those 
members who do not pay quarterage and ordering the 
preacher in charge to expell them. Second, contend- 
ing for and receiving half of the public collections at 



164 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 

the quarterly meetings. Brother Oglesby made some 
statements and explanations and after some discussion, 
the following resolution were adopted : Resolved, that 
we disapprove of the course of Brother Oglesby in 
dividing the public collections as not being according 
to the discipline. 

The committee on education presented their report 
containing a charter for the institution of learning 
founded by this conference, which was read, amended 
and approved. On motion, the presiding elder of the 
Indianapolis district and C. Fletcher were appointed 
to attend to its passage in the Legislature, who were 
authorized to admit any alterations or amendments 
which in their opinion will not be fatal to the interest 
of the institution. 

The committee on education also presented an ad- 
dress to the people within the bounds of this confer- 
ence on the subject of Education, which was read, ap- 
proved and ordered to be signed by the president and 
secretary, to be prepared for the press and forwarded 
to the editor of the Western Christian Advocate for 
publication. Said committee also presented a further 
report relative to an address from the stewards and 
leaders meeting of New Albany Station praying the 
conference to take under its patronage the New Albany 
Seminary 7 and recommending the adoption of the fol- 
lowing resolution : Resolved, that the conference com- 
ply with the request contained in said address as it 
relates to the patronizing of said institution, which was 
adopted. Conference proceeded to the election of 
trustees. A. Wiley, W. V. Daniel, E. R. Ames, C. W. 
Ruter and Wm. Shanks were nominated and elected 
trustees of said seminary. And the president appointed 

7 The Western Christian Advocate for November 17, 1837, 
states that the New Albany Seminary was opened for students in 
the autumn of 1836. During the first and second sessions the 
number of students was about 80 in the male department and 60 
in the female department. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 165 



the presiding elder of Charlestown district together 
with A. Wood and J. C. Smith a board of visitors, 
whose duty it shall be to attend the annual examina- 
tion of said seminary and report to the next session 
of this conference. 

Conference then proceeded to fix the place of its 
next session, and on counting the votes, New Albany 
was the place. R. S. Robinson was nominated and 
elected a member of the missionary committee to fill 
the vacancy occasioned by the absence of Boyd Phelps. 
On motion, Resolved, that a vote of thanks be given to 
the members of the Presbyterian and Baptist Churches 
for the use of their meeting house, during the session 
of this conference, which shall be published from the 
pulpit next Sabbath. 

On motion, conference adjourned to meet in the 
Methodist Church tomorrow at 8 o'clock a. m. 

Friday, 8 o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule. 
Bishop Roberts in the chair. On motion, the agent 
who was appointed to attend to the business relative 
to the legacy of James Paxton, was instructed to col- 
lect the money and loan it out for the same interest 
that the managers loan the funds of the Aid Society. 
The committee on missions presented their report, 
fixing the amount necessary for the missions within 
the bounds of this conference at $1,120.00, which was 
adopted. 

On motion, Resolved, that a vote of thanks be ten- 
dered to the citizens of this place for their kindness 
to the preachers and their liberality in the support of 
our benevolent institutions. 

On motion, Resolved, that the president of the 
conference be requested to furnish the college agents 
with such instructions as he may think necessary rela- 
tive to the duties assigned them. 

On motion, after singing and prayer and a short 



166 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



address by the president, the appointments were read 
out and conference adjourned to meet at New Albany, 
Indiana, on the twenty-fifth of October, 1837. 

R. R. ROBERTS. 

C. W. RUTER, Secretary. 

APPOINTMENTS FOR 1836. 

Madison District. 

E. G. Wood, Presiding Elder. 

Madison — Rodman Lewis. 

Vevay — Joseph Tarkington, Lewis Hurlbert. 

Lawrenceburg — James Jones, William B. Ross. 

Brookville — Isaac Kelso, one to be supplied. 

Liberty — Boyd Phelps. 

Greensburg — James Scott, L. M. Reeves. 

Versailles — Miles Huffaker. 

Vernon — George K. Hester. 

John C. Smith. 

Charlestown District. 

C. W. Ruter, Presiding Elder. 

New Albany — Allen Wiley. 

Corydon — Isaac Owen, J. M. Stallard. 

Greenville — Sanford S. Williams. 

Paoli — James T. Robe. 

Salem — John Kearns, Wm. Shanks, sup. 

Brownstown — Ezra L. Kemp. 

Lexington — William H. Good. 

Charlestown — Wm. V. Daniel, Thomas S. Gunn. 

Jeffersonville — John S. Bayless. 

Indianapolis District. 

James Havens, Presiding Elder. 
Indianapolis Station — Augustus Eddy. 
Indianapolis Circuit — C. B. Jones, one to be sup- 
plied. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 167 



Shelby ville— Elijah Whitten. 

Rushville — Fernandes C. Holliday, John F. Truslow. 
Connersville — David J. Cox, John W. Sullivan. 
Pendleton — Philip May. 
Nobles ville — Hiram Griggs. 
Danville — Isaac Welch. 

Edward R. Ames, agent for Preachers' Aid Society. 

Bloomington District. 

S. C. Cooper, Presiding Elder. 

Bloomington — Wm. M. Dailey. 

Springville — Benjamin T. Griffith. 

Bedford — Ebenezer Patrick. 

Columbus — Wm. W. Hibben, William D. Cox. 

Franklin — Charles Bonner, one to be supplied. 

Mooresville — Israel G. Lewis. 

Greencastle — John Newel. 

Putnamville — Thomas Ray. 

Spencer — Enoch Wood. 

Vincennes District. 

John Miller, Presiding Elder. 

Vincennes — John Daniel. 

Terre Haute Station — J. A. Brouse. 

Terre Haute Circuit — J. Sinclair, Sol. Miller. 

Carlisle — Anthony Robinson, one to be supplied. 

Washington — Thomas Bartlett. 

Princeton — Jesse C. Harbin. 

Mt. Vernon — Isaac Mcelroy, one to be supplied. 

Boonville — David Stucker. 

Rome Mission — John M. Cole. 

Knox Mission — Ransford R. Burts. 

Aaron Wood, college agent. 

Crawfordsville District. 
James L. Thompson, Presiding Elder. 



168 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Crawfordsville Station — Amasa Johnson. 
Crawfordsville Circuit — Thomas J. Brown. 
Rockville — Charles M. Holliday, J. H. Bruce. 
Cole Creek Mission — Daniel Demott. 
Covington — Cornelius Swank, E. Sewell. 
Pine Creek — Ancil Beach. 
Lafayette — Henry S. Talbott. 
Delphi — Jared B. Mershon. 
Monticello Mission — H. Vredenberg. 
Dayton — Joseph White. 
Frankfort — Eli Rogers. 

Laporte District. 

Richard Hargrave, Presiding Elder. 

Laporte — George M. Boyd, one to be supplied. 

South Bend and Mishawaka — Richard S. Robinson. 

Niles — Thomas P. McCool, one to be supplied. 

Kalamazoo — Erastus Kellogg, H. B. Beers. 

St. Joseph — Richard C. Meek, James D. Sanford. 

Elkhart — James S. Harrison. 

Logansport — B. Westlake. 

Plymouth Mission — William Fraley. 

Deep River Mission — Jacob Colclazer. 

Centerville District. 

David Stiver, Presiding Elder. 
Centerville — George M. Beswick, one to be supplied. 
Winchester — Colbreth Hall. 
Newcastle — Francis M. Richmond. 
Munceytown — Greenbury C. Beeks. 
Fort Wayne Mission — Stephen R. Ball. 
Mississinewa Mission — Wade Posey. 
John W. McReynolds and Spencer W. Hunter trans- 
ferred to the Illinois conference. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 169 



JOURNAL of the Sixth Annual Session of the In- 
diana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
at New Albany, Indiana, October 25, 1837. 

Wednesday, 9 o'clock a. m., conference met pursu- 
ant to appointment and no 1 one of the bishops being 
present, on motion by C. W. Ruter, Rev. James Havens 
was called to the chair and opened the conference by 
reading a portion of scripture, singing and prayer. 
The list was called and the following members being 
present, took their seats: Enoch G. Wood, Rodman 
Lewis, Joseph Tarkington, James Jones, James Scott, 
Lemuel L. Reeves, Miles Huffaker, John C. Smith, C. 
W. Ruter, Allen Wiley, Isaac Owen, Sanford L. Wil- 
liams, John Kerns, William Shanks, Thomas L. Gunn, 
James Havens, F. C. Holliday, E. R. Ames, Samuel C. 
Cooper, W. M. Dailey, Thomas Ray, Enoch Wood, John 
Miller, John Daniel, John A. Brouse, I. C. Harbin, 
Aaron Wood, James L. Thompson, Amasa Johnson, 
Charles M. Holliday, Cornelius Swank, H. S. Talbott, 
Joseph White, Richard C. Meed, David Stiver, George 
N. Beswick, Stephen R. Ball, William H. Smith. 

On motion, it was resolved that conference elect 
two secretaries by ballot, and on counting the votes, 
C. W. Ruter and Edward R. Ames were declared duly 
elected. Conference then proceeded to elect by ballot, 
a president pro-tem; James Havens was declared duly 
elected and accordingly took the chair. After having 
made a few appropriate remarks conference proceeded 
to business. On motion, it was resolved that confer- 
ence hold but one session per day. Resolved, that con- 
ference meet at 8 o'clock a. m. and adjourn at 12 
o'clock m. A. Wiley, C. W. Ruter, E. R. Ames were 
nominated and elected a committee to appoint the 
preachers who shall preach during conference and also 
to superintend the congregations. William Shanks, 

1 Ministers were often detained because of inclement weather, 
bad roads, poor means of travel, and sickness. 



170 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



James Scott and Aaron Wood were elected conference 
stewards. James L. Thompson, Aaron Wood and John 
A. Brown were nominated and elected to write the 
memoirs of the dead. On motion, it was resolved that 
a committee of one from each district be elected to be 
denominated the financial committee, and on motion, 
the Presiding Elder from each of the different dis- 
tricts were elected that committee. On motion, it was 
resolved that a committee to consist of one preacher in 
charge from each Presiding Elder's district, be ap- 
pointed to be denominated the committee on itinerancy. 
The by-laws of the first session of the Indiana confer- 
ence were read, and on motion, adopted for the govern- 
ment of the conference during the present session. 
On motion, it was resolved that a committee of five be 
appointed to be denominated the committee on univer- 
sity. Resolved that conference adjourn to meet this 
afternoon at 2 o'clock. 

Wednesday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment and was opened according to 
rule. Rev. James Havens in the chair, conference pro- 
ceeded to business. Conference took up the first ques- 
tion on the minutes, viz: Who are admitted on trial? 
Samuel T. Gillet, Isaac Crawford, Thomas F. Spill- 
man, John C. Crouch, were admitted and Henry S. 
Dane was readmitted. P. Royce, John B. Burt, John 
Edwards, Miltiades Miller were admitted. Mark 
Bruffy and Ezra Munson were not admitted, but the 
Presiding Elder has leave to employ them. The presi- 
dent announced the following names as the committee 
on itinerancy : James Jones, J. Daniel, Wm. M. Dailey, 
John Kern, A. Johnson, F. C. Holiday, F. M. Beswick 
and R. C. Meeks. And C. H. Ruter, S. C. Cooper, A. 
Wood, I. C. Smith and Wm. Shanks on the university. 
Conference adjourned. 

Thursday, 8 o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 171 

Brother Havens in the chair, conference proceeded to 
business. The stewards having spent some time in at- 
tending to the pecuniary concerns of the conference 
and Bishop Soule having arrived, and after making a 
few appropriate remarks, took the chair. Conference 
voted to draw on the book concern for four hundred 
dollars and on the charted fund for eighty-two dollars. 
One of the book agents from Cincinnati being present 
read a report containing a statement of the situation 
of the ¥/estern Book Concern, accompanied by an ad- 
dress to the conference. On motion, the college agents 
were authorized to settle with the trustees for the 
amount of their salaries. On motion, the conference 
elected H. S. Talbott, Wm. M. Dailey and John C. 
Smith on the book committee. The president laid be- 
fore the conference a communication from the book 
agents of New York containing an exhibit of the fiscal 
concerns of that establishment, which was read. An 
address from the Ohio conference, containing a pre- 
amble and resolutions on the subject of proper dis- 
tribution of the revenues arising from the book con- 
cern, which was read, and on motion, referred to a 
committee consisting of A. Wiley, E. R. Ames, I. A. 
Brouse, J. L. Thompson and J. Havens. 

On motion, Wm. Shanks, C. W. Ruter and James 
Scott were chosen a committee to estimate the table 
expenses of the superintendent (R. R. Roberts) resid- 
ing within the bounds of the conference. Conference 
resumed the first question on the minutes. D. H. D. 
Dickerson, Wm. H. McGunnis were admitted. Wm. 
Knowles was not admitted, but on motion, the Presid- 
ing Elder has leave to employ him. Conference ad- 
journed. 

Friday, 8 o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant to 
adjournment and was opened according to rule. 
Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded to 
business. The committee to whom was referred the 



172 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



communication from the Ohio conference on the sub- 
ject of funds of the book concern, reported as follows: 
Having had the subject under consideration, we beg 
leave to recommend to the conference a concurrence 
with the resolutions adopted by the Ohio conference, 
viz : Resolved, that the members of the Indiana annual 
conference of the M. E. Church disapprove of drawing 
on the book concern for money to pay the expenses of 
the delegates to the General Conference or any part 
thereof ; and that we do hereby respectfully request 
that it may never be done again. Signed, 

ALLEN WILEY, Clwirman. 

The report having been read, was, on motion, 
adopted. Conference proceeded to the consideration 
of the second question on the minutes: Who are ad- 
mitted into full connection? E. Patrick, Isaac McElroy, 
L W. Sullivan, I. I. Lewis, Daniel Demott, Wm. B. 
Ross, I. M. Stollard, B. T. Griffith, W. W. Hibbon, C. B. 
Jones, Erastus Kellogg having been previously exam- 
ined by the committee appointed for that purpose, were 
called forward and questioned, and advised by the 
bishop as the discipline directs, after which their 
characters were examined, admitted into full connec- 
tion and elected to Deacons Orders ; except I. J. Lewis, 
who was not admitted. Bros. Patrick, Sullivan, De- 
mott, Jones and Kellog were not elected, having been 
previously ordained as local preachers. Conference 
proceeded to the consideration of the sixth question on 
the minutes, viz : Who have been elected and ordained 
elders this year? I. A. Brouse, Stephen Ball, Hiram 
Griggs, James Harrison, I. C. Harlin, Lemuel Reeves 
were severally examined and elected to Elders Orders. 
The case of R. C. Meed was laid over. Conference 
resumed the consideration of the first question on the 
minutes and Joseph S. Barwick, Jacob Myers, Jacob 
Miller, I. Harrymen were admitted and Cyrus Nutt 
was not admitted. Benjamin Barnes, I. V. Watson, 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 173 



Eli P. Farmer, L. D. Smith, Jonas L. Belott, Thomas 
Poyner, Wm. Forbs were admitted. I. Cooper and 
Daniel Dillon were not admitted, but on motion, the 
Presiding Elder has leave to employ them. On motion, 
the conference altered the time of their morning meet- 
ing from 8 to 8:30 a. m. At the request of R. C. 
Meed his case was referred to a committee of three, 
viz : H. Talbott, W. V. Daniel and Thomas Ray. Con- 
ference adjourned. 

Saturday, 8:30 o'clock a. m., conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment and was opened according to 
rule. Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded 
to business. The committee in the case of R. C. Meek 
presented their report, which after some discussion, 
was not accepted by the conference. Brother Meek 
made some statements relative to his case and retired. 
When his character passed he was elected to Elders 
Orders. Conference took up the consideration of the 
case of local preachers recommended for Deacon's 
Orders. Hosier I. Durbin, recommended from Madi- 
son district, was elected. John C. Crouch and Peter 
Weaver were not elected. 

The committee on the university presented their re- 
port, which was read and, on motion, said report was 
laid on the table to be made the order of the day for 
Monday next. Wm. Pennington, from Charlestown 
district; Thomas W. Sergeant and John Hardy, from 
Indianapolis district ; John Mcrea, John Evans, Thomas 
Guynn, from Bloomington district; Francis V. McGee, 
D. Dickinson, Wm. Bratton, I. M. Barnett, from Craw- 
fordsville district; C. C. Beeks, Elijah Harbour and 
Charles Lumpton, from Centerville district, were all 
elected to the office of deacons as recommended for 
Elders Orders. John Linville, from Indianapolis dis- 
trict; Vance Jones, from Bloomington district; I. L. 
Belotte, from Crawfordsville district; John Hughs, 
from Charlestown district, were severally elected to 



174 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



that said office. Conference resumed the considera- 
tion of the third question, viz : Who are admitted into 
full connection? John Bayless was examined by the 
Bishop before the conference, and after his character 
was examined, was admitted into full connection and 
was elected to deacon's orders. Davis Stucker was 
also examined, but did not pass ; on motion, the Presid- 
ing Elder has permission to employ him. On motion, 
it was resolved that when conference adjourns, we 
meet again this afternoon at 2 o'clock. On motion, it 
was resolved that conference will comply with the re- 
quest of the Rev. Mr. Ranson, agent of the A. B. So- 
ciety, and will listen to his remarks on Monday morn- 
ing. Conference adjourned. 

Saturday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule. 
Bishop Roberts in the chair, conference proceeded to 
business in consideration of the first question on the 
minutes, viz : Who are admitted on trial ? Wm. Hul- 
bert, Francis H. Cary, Thomas Owen and Emmons 
Rutledge were admitted on trial but Thomas Brown 
was not admitted. Henry Vanorder and Robert Burns 
were admitted. Conference proceeded to the considera- 
tion of the second question of the minutes : Who re- 
main on trial? The characters of Wm, H. Good, Ezra 
L. Kemp, John H. Bruce, John M. Cole, Wm. Trailey, 
J. B. Nershon, John F. Trouslow, A. Robinson and 
Wade Poisy were severally examined and continued 
on trial. R. R. Burts was discontinued. Conference 
adjourned. 

Monday, 8:30 o'clock a. m., conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment and was opened according to 
rule. Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded 
to business. The Rev. Mr. Ransom, state agent for the 
American Bible Society, was introduced to the con- 
ference, who delivered a short address on the subject 
of his agency after which, on motion, a committee of 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 175 



three were appointed to consider the subject and pre- 
pare it for the action of the conference. Wm. V. 
Daniel, James Havens and Wm. Shanks were appointed 
said committee. The following resolution was then 
introduced, read, and on motion, adopted, viz: Re- 
solved by the Indiana annual conference in conference 
assembled, that the first Thursday in December, next, 
be set apart as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God 
for the general health of our citizens and abundant 
fruits of the earth the present year ; and that the gov- 
ernor of the state be respectfully requested to issue his 
proclamation requesting the citizens generally to unite 
in offering, on that day especially, ascriptions of praise 
to the rich donor of all our blessings. C. W. Ruter and 
E. R. Ames. Conference then resumed the considera- 
tion of the second question on the minutes : Who are 
continued on trial? The characters of Isaac Kelso, 
Frances M. Richmond, G. M. Boyd, H. B. Beers, Jacob 
Colderidge, C. C. Beeks, Philip May and John Sewell 
were examined and continued on trial. James D. San- 
ford, Wm. D. Cox, Isreal Welch, John Sinclair and 
Soicrnan Miller were discontinued. Conference then 
took up the consideration of the fourth question on 
the minutes: Who are the deacons? The characters 
of F. C. Holliday, Thomas C. Gunn, Isaac Owen, Thos. 
Bartlett and S. S. Williams were severally examined 
and passed. Thos. S. Gunn asked and obtained a loca- 
tion. The following resolutions were then introduced, 
read, and on motion, adopted, viz : Whereas, a treatise 
on Roman Catholicism exposing the errors and hurtful 
tendencies of that system, is much needed in the Mis- 
sissippi Valley; and whereas, the Rev. Charles Elliott 
is now composing a book on that subject and with such 
aims; therefore, be it resolved by the Indiana annual 
conference, that the book agents of Cincinnati be re- 
quested with the approbation of the W estern Book com- 
mittee to secure the copy right of said work and pub- 



176 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



lisli it for the M. E. Church. Resolved, secondly, that 
it be recommended to the book agents at Cincinnati 
with the approbation of the Western Book Committee 
to secure the copy right of a book entitled, "History of 
the Wyandott Mission/' now being written by Rev. 
James B. Finley and publish it for the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Signed, Allen Wiley, E. R. Ames; 
New Albany, la., October 30, 1837. The conference 
then proceeded to the examination of the characters of 
elders. E. G. Wood, Rodman Lewis, Joseph Tarking- 
ton, Lewis Hurlburt, James Jones, Boyd Phelps, Geo. 
K. Hester, John C. Smith, Miles Huffaker, C. W. Ruter, 
A. Wiley, James T. Robe, John Kerns, Wm. Shanks, 
W. V. Daniels, James Haven, A. Eddy, E. Whitten, E. 
R. Ames, Samuel C. Cooper, Wm. C. Dailey, C. Bon- 
ner, Thomas Ray, Enoch Wood, John Miller, John 
Daniels, Aaron Wood, James L. Thompson, Amasa 
Johnson, Thomas Brown, Charles Holliday, Cornelius 
Swank, Ancil Beach, H. L. Talbott, H. Vedenburgh, 
Joseph White, R. Hargrave, R. S. Robinson, B. Wes- 
lake, David Stiver, George M. Beswick, W. H. Smith, 
Asa Beck and John Pitchey were severally examined 
and passed. Rodman Lewis, Joseph Tarkington, James 
L. Thompson, Wm. H. Smith and John Ritchey were 
superannuated. Asa Beck was reported as effective 
and Wm. Shanks superannerary. Conference ad- 
journed. 

Tuesday, 8 :30 o'clock a. m., conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment and was opened according to 
rule. Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded 
to business. The stewards presented their report, 
which was read, and on motion, adopted. The commit- 
tee appointed to estimate the table expenses of Bishop 
Roberts, presented their report, which was read, and 
on motion, adopted, viz: three hundred dollars. 1 The 
committee on the Bible Society presented their report 

1 See Minutes for 1832. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 177 



embodying several resolutions, which was read, 
amended, and on motion, adopted, that the presiding 
elder of Charlestown district and the stationed preach- 
er in New Albany be appointed to address a meeting 
which may be appointed on that subject. Conference 
proceeded to take the number of Sabbath schools, etc. 
Richard C. Meek asked and obtained a location. On 
motion, it was resolved that conference take up that 
part of the report of the committee on the university 
which relates to the appointment of agents. Resolved, 
that for the more effectual and speedy endowment of 
the university it is desirable that four special agents 
be appointed for the ensuing year. On motion, it was 
resolved that we adjourn to meet this afternoon at 2 
o'clock. 

Tuesday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule, 
Bishop Roberts in the chair. Conference then pro- 
ceeded to elect four agents for the Indiana Asbury 
University and on counting the votes, Wm. Shanks, 
S. C. Cooper, Wm. M. Dailey and John Brouse were 
declared duly elected. Conference proceeded to fix the 
place of its next session, and on counting the votes it 
was found that Rockville, Parke county, ndiana, had 
a majority to which place conference was appointed 
to meet on the 17th of October, 1838. Conference pro- 
ceeded to elect an agent for the Preacher's Aid Society 
and on counting the votes, James Havens was declared 
duly elected. On motion, conference took up that part 
of the report of the committee on the university, which 
relates to the filling of vacancies in the board of trus- 
tees. Henry Havens was elected to fill the vacancy 
occasioned by the resigning of T. A. Howard, and 
James Talbott was elected to fill the vacancy occasioned 
by the resignation of John W. Osborn. A committee 
of three, consisting of E. R. Ames, Samuel C. Cooper 
and James Havens, was appointed to nominate nine 

(12) 



178 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



persons as a board of visitors to the I. A, University. 
On motion, it was resolved that the agent, C. W. Ruter, 
appointed by this conference to collect the legacy of 
James Paxton, deceased, be directed to pay it over with 
the proceeds thereof to C. I. Hand for the benefit of 
the Preacher's Aid Society. On motion, the vote by 
which James L. Thompson was superannuated, was 
reconsidered. On motion, the vote taken in the case 
of Wm. Knowles, was reconsidered and he was ad- 
mitted on trial. On motion, Aaron Wood, James 
Havens and Richard Hargrave were appointed a com- 
mittee to divide the conference into four districts, 
assigning to each college agent, his respective field of 
labor. On motion, John Smith, John S. Bayless and 
James Havens were nominated and elected a commit- 
tee to take into consideration the claims of a temper- 
ance paper recently established in 3 Indianapolis and 
report to this conference. Conference adjourned. 

Wednesday, 8 :30 o'clock a. m., conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment and was opened according to 
rule. Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded 
to business. The committee appointed to nominate a 
Board of Visitors of the I. A. University, reported 
Allen Wiley, James Havens, H. S. Talbott, Augustus 
Eddy, I. L. Thompson, S. C. Cooper, William Shanks, 
William M. Dailey and John Brouse, which nomination 
was confirmed by the conference. The committee ap- 
pointed to take info consideration the claims of a tem- 
perance paper presented their report "That in their 
opinion a paper of that character might greatly sub- 
serve the cause of temperance in this state, therefore, 
resolved that this conference will give their united in- 
fluence for the wider circulation and more permanent 
usefulness of this publication. Resolved, that this re- 
port be forwarded to the editor (John W. Osborn) of 

3 For many years the only temperance paper in the state was 
published at Greencastle. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 179 



said paper for publication. J. C. Smith, chairman." 
The committee appointed to write the memoirs of the 
dead presented their report containing the memoirs of 
the Rev. John Ray and Rev. Smith S. Robinson, which 
was read and, on motion, adopted. The book commit- 
tee presented their report which was read and adopted. 
The committee appointed to attend the examination of 
the New Albany Seminary presented their report which 
was read and, on motion, adopted. On motion, a com- 
mittee of three were appointed to attend the next an- 
nual examination of said seminary. The presiding el- 
der of Charlestown district and the preachers of New 
Albany and Jeffersonville were appointed that commit- 
tee. The committee appointed to district the conference 
and assign to each college agent their fields of labor, 
presented their report as follows: William Shanks, 
Charlestown district and that part of Vincennes dis- 
trict south of White river. Wm. M. Dailey that part 
of Vincennes district north of White river and the 
Bloomington and Madison districts. S. C. Cooper, the 
town of Indianapolis and the Crawfordsville and La- 
porte districts. John A. Brouse, Indianapolis and 
Centerville districts excepting the town of Indianap- 
olis. Aaron Wood, chairman. On motion, the vote 
taken in the case of Mark Bruffy was reconsidered and 
he was admitted on trial. The report of the committee 
on the I. A. University was taken up and read, and a 
motion made that the conference advise the trustees to 
obtain a loan of fifty thousand dollars if practicable 
for the benefit of the institution, which after some dis- 
cussion, the vote was taken but was decided in the 
negative. A motion was made that the conference 
pledge themselves to use their best efforts to send as 
many students as they can to the I. A. University dur- 
ing the coming year, and to procure as many books as 
possible by donation for the library, which after some 
discussion, was decided in the negative. On motion, 



180 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



it was resolved that the members of this conference be 
requested to use their influence to promote the interest 
of the university and especially in the collection of 
books. On motion, it was resolved that a committee 
of three be appointed to memorialize Congress of the 
United States asking a donation of land for the benefit 
of the university. Allen Wiley, I. C. Smith and Aaron 
Wood were appointed that committee. On motion, it 
was resolved that the joint board of the trustees and 
visitors be requested to memorialize Indiana Legisla- 
ture praying that body to memorialize Congress in 
behalf of the I. A. University praying that body to 
make a donation of land to said university. A motion 
was made to adopt the report which was carried in the 
affirmative. And a committee of three was appointed 
to prepare such parts of the report as they deemed ex- 
pedient for publication. Secretary of the conference 
and the stationary preachers at New Albany and Jef- 
fersonville to be that committee. On motion, it was 
resolved that the secretary of the conference furnish 
the board of trustees with all necessary extracts from 
the journal for their information. James Havens pre- 
sented the papers in the case of Fletcher Tivis, an 
expelled local preacher on Rushville circuit, who ap- 
pealed to this conference, but he being not present to 
prosecute the appeal, the conference, on motion, dis- 
missed said appeal. Conference adjourned to meet 
this afternoon at 2 o'clock. 

Wednesday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment and was opened according to 
rule. Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded 
to business. The committee appointed to memorialize 
Congress in behalf of the I. A. University, presented 
their report which was read, and, on motion, was 
directed to be placed in the hands of the preacher who 
may be appointed to Indianapolis station that he may 
enlarge and prepare it suitably, and forward it to some 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 181 



member of Congress as soon as it may be practicable. 
On motion, it was resolved that a vote of thanks be 
tendered to the citizens of this town for their kindness 
to the preachers during the present session of confer- 
ence. On motion, it was resolved that a vote of thanks 
be tendered to the several denominations of christians 
in this town for the use of their meeting houses during 
the present session of conference. On motion, it was 
resolved that when conference adjourns it meets at 
6:30 o'clock in the Methodist Church in this town. 
Conference adjourned. 

Wednesday, 6 :30 o'clock p. m., conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment and was opened according to 
rule. Bishop Soule in the chair. After an appropriate 
address by the superintendent, on motion, the appoint- 
ments of the preachers were read out and conference 
adjourned to meet in Rockville, Parke county, Indiana, 
on the 17th of October, 1838. 

C. W. RUTER. J. SOULE. 

APPOINTMENTS FOR 1837. 

Madison District. 

Enoch G. Wood, Presiding Elder. 
Madison — William B. Ross. 
Vevay — Lewis Hurlbert, Isaac Crawford. 
Rising Sun — Fernandes C. Holliday. 
Lawrenceburg — James Jones, Samuel T. Gillet, 
Silas Rawson. 

Brookville — James T. Robe, Henry S. Dane. 

Greensburg — Charles Bonner, Amos Bussey. 

Versailles — Thomas F. Spillman. 

Vernon — Miles Huffaker. 

Sand Creek Mission — Pleasant Royce. 

Charlestown District. 
Calvin W. Ruter, Presiding Elder. 



1 82 CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 



New Albany — Aaron Wood. 

William H. Good, Principal of the New Albany 
Seminary. 

Corydon — Isaac Owen, Jacob Myers. 

Greenville — Benjamin T. Griffith. 

Paoli — Jacob M. Stallard. 

Salem — Ebenezer Patrick, William Fraley. 

Brownstown — Emmons Rutledge. 

Lexington — George K. Hester. 

Charlestown — William V. Daniel, Jesse C. Harbin. 

Jeffersonville — John Kearnes. 

Indianapolis District. 

Augustus Eddy, Presiding Elder. 

Indianapolis — John C. Smith. 

Indianapolis Circuit — John Edwards. 

Shelbyville — John W. Sullivan, John B. Birt. 

Rushville — John F. Truslow, Joseph H. Harryman. 

Noblesville — Miltiades Miller. 

Danville — Asa Beck, John Newell. 

Franklin — William W. Hibben. 

Columbus — James V. Watson, Constant B. Jones. 

Mooresville — Hiram Greggs. 

Bloomington District. 

Henry S. Talbott, Presiding Elder. 
Bloomington — Amasa Johnson. 
Springville — Philip May. 
Bedford — Ezra L. Kemp. 
Greencastle — James L. Thompson. 
Greencastle Circuit — Jonas L. Belotte. 
Putnamville — Thomas Ray. 
Spencer — William Meginnis. 
Brown Mission — Eli P. Farmer. 
Rockville — Charles M. Holliday. 
Russelville — Enoch Wood. 



CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 183 



Vincennes District. 

John Miller, Presiding Elder. 
Vincennes — John S. Bayless. 
Terre Haute — John Daniel. 

Terre Haute Circuit — Daniel Demott, Daniel H. 
Dickerson. 

Carlisle — Thomas Bartlett, William J. Forbes. 
Washington — Isaac McElroy. 
Princeton — William Knowles. 

Mount Vernon — Lemuel M. Reeves, Joseph S. Bar- 
wick. 

Boonville — Anthony F. Robinson. 

Rome — Jacob Miller. 

Knox Mission — John M. Cole. 

Crawfordsville District. 

Allen Wiley, Presiding Elder. 

Crawfordsville — Benjamin N. Barnes. 

Crawfordsville Circuit — Joseph White. 

Cole Creek — Thomas Poyner. 

Covington — Cornelius Swank, Colbreth Hall. 

Pine Creek — Ancil Beach. 

Lafayette — Lorenzo D. Smith. 

Delphi — Burroughs Westiake. 

Monticelio — John H. Bruce. 

Dayton — Halkaliah Vredenberg. 

Frankfort — Thomas Brown. 

Logansport — Jared B. Mershon. 

Laporte District. 

Richard Hargrave, Presiding Elder. 

Laporte — Boyd Phelps, H. Vanorder. 

South Bend and Mishawaka — Richard S. Robinson. 

Niles — James S. Harrison, Sanford S. Williams. 

Kalamazoo — Erastus Kellog, Jacob Colclazer. 

St. Joseph— William Todd. 



184 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 

Elkhart— Thomas P. McCool. 
Plymouth Mission — Thomas P. Owen. 
Lagrange— George M. Boyd. 
Fort Wayne— Stephen R. Ball. 
Warsaw Mission— William Hulbert. 
Deep River Mission — Hawley B. Beers. 

Centerville District. 

David Stiver, Presiding Elder. 

Centerville- — Elijah Whitten, Greenberry C. Beeks. 

Winchester — Wade Posey, Isaac Kelso. 

Newcastle — Alexander K. Miller. 

Munceytown — Robert Burns, Francis H. Carey. 

Mississinewa — George W. Bowers. 

Connersville — James Scott, John Kiger. 

Liberty — George M. Beswick, John Hasty. 

Pendleton — Francis M. Richmond, Mark Bruffy. 

William Shanks, Samuel C. Cooper, William M. 
Dailey and John A. Brouse, agents for the Indiana 
Asbury University. 

James Havens, agent for the Preachers' Aid So- 
ciety. 

Edward R. Ames, transferred to the Missouri con- 
ference and stationed at St. Louis. 

JOURNAL of the Seventh Indiana Annual Confer- 
ence held in Rockville, Parke County, Indiana, October 
17, 1838. 

Wednesday morning, 9 o'clock a. m., conference 
met according to appointment and was opened by 
Bishop Soule by reading a portion of the Holy Scrip- 
ture, singing and prayer. 

The list was called and the following members be- 
ing present, took their seats : E. G. Wood, H. Vreden- 
burgh, E. Patrick, H. Hargrave, Wm. V. Daniel, James 
S. Harrison, F. C. Holliday, Erastus Kellog, John C. 
Smith, Elijah Whitten, James Jones, James Scott, Wm. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 185 

W. Hibben, Geo. M. Beswick, C. B. Jones, S. C. Cooper, 
Amasa Johnson, Wm. M. Dailey, James L. Thompson, 
John A. Bruose, H. L. Dane, James Havens, E. P. 
Farmer, J. Tarkington, Miles Huffaker, William Smith, 
John Miller, J. M. Stallard, C. W. Ruter, Lewis Hul- 
bert, Daniel Demott, I. C. Harbin, Thomas Bartlett, A. 
Eddy, Allen Wiley, John W. Sullivan, Joseph White, 
Asa Beck, Ancil Beach, C. Bonnet, H. S. Talbott, James 
T. Robe, I. S. Belotte, Thomas Ray, C. M. Holliday, 
Enoch Wood, John S. Bayless, John Daniel, Aaron 
Wood, I. McEllroy, Isaac Owen, Cornelius Sevant, B. 
F. Griffith, Thomas I. Brown, Richard S. Robinson, S. 
S. Williams, David Stiver. 

Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded to 
business. John C. Smith was elected secretary and 
C. W. Ruter assistant secretary. Conference resolved 
to hold but one session per day. Resolved, that con- 
ference meet at 8 :30 o'clock a. m. and adjourn at 12 :30 
p. m. H. C. Talbott, Samuel C. Cooper and C. M. Holli- 
day were appointed a committee to superintend the 
congregations, and to appoint ministers to preach dur- 
ing the present session. Conference proceeded to elect 
the stewards, and on counting the votes, Samuel C. 
Cooper, James Scott and E. Patrick were declared duly 
elected. 

Allen Wiley, Wm. M. Dailey and Augustus Eddy 
were appointed a committee to write the memoirs of 
the dead. The president presented a communication 
from the book agents of New York containing an ex- 
hibit of the condition of the book concern, which was 
referred to the book committee, viz: John A. Bruose, 
A. Wood and James T. Robe. 

Conference then proceeded to consider the first 
question on the minutes, viz: Who are admitted on 
trial ? Melville Wiley, Seth Smith, John Talbott, John 
L. Kelly, Hezekiah Smith, Lucian W. Berry, Cyrus 
Nutt, Lewis L. Allen, Henry B. Harrold, William F. 



186 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Wheeler, George W. Stafford and William Wilson were 
admitted. Isaac Welsh was not admitted. 
Conference adjourned. 

Thursday, 8 :30 o'clock a. m., conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment and was opened according to 
rule. First Journal read and approved, Bishop Soule 
in the chair, conference proceeded to business. The 
vote by which C. W. Ruter was elected assistant secre- 
tary was reconsidered, 1 and John Daniel was elected 
in his place. Resolved that the by-laws of the last ses- 
sion be adopted for the government of this session. 
Brother Wright, a book agent from Cincinnati, pre- 
sented a communication to conference exhibiting the 
condition of that establishment, accompanied with an 
address. The steward then spent some time in attend- 
ing to the pecuniary matters of the conference. A 
communication was made to conference from Brother 
Phelps containing the credentials of Gilbert Rose, 
formerly a local deacon in conference. Conference 
voted to draw on the book concern for four hundred 
dollars, and on the chartered fund for ninety dollars. 
A communication received from the managers of the 
Preachers' Aid Society, informing the conference that 
they were permitted to draw on that institution for 
two hundred and fifty dollars. 

Conference then resumed the consideration of the 
first question on the minutes and Wm. H. Sampson, 
Francis A. Conwell and John Hull were admitted. And 
John Urcanbrack was readmitted, but Jacob Jameson 
was not admitted. The Presiding Elder has liberty to 
employ him if expedient. Moved that Isaac Welsh may 
be employed by the Presiding Elder if necessary. John 
Kesling was not admitted, but the Presiding Elder has 
liberty to employ him. L. Wiley was admitted, but 

1 Upon being elected assistant secretary, C. W. Ruter ex- 
pressed his desire to resign on account of ill health, wherewith the 
vote was reconsidered and John Daniel was elected in his place. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 187 



Joseph Ockerman was not admitted. Y. Games and 
Thomas S. Gunn were readmitted. John P. Sinclair 
was not admitted. James Hill, George Havens, E. 
Vanschorack, William Campbell, Josiah I. Cooper, 
Ebenezer Arnold and John B. Jenkins were admitted. 
On motion, resolved that conference adjourn to meet 
at 3 o'clock p. m. 

Thursday, 3 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule. 
Journals read and corrected and approved. Bishop 
Soule in the chair, conference proceeded to business. 
On motion, resolved that the Presiding Elder, in whose 
district I. P. Sinclair may reside, have liberty to em- 
ploy him if necessary. Conference resumed the con- 
sideration of the first question on the minutes, and 
Daniel K. Stright, Landy Havens, E. S. Sheffield, 
Joseph Byron, Samuel K. Young, George Stanley, 
Henry Worthington and Franklin Gage were admitted. 
E. Lank was not admitted. Thomas Hedrick, Daniel 
Dilling and Frederick Long were not admitted. But 
permission was granted to the Presiding Elder in 
whose districts they may reside to employ them if they 
think proper, also to employ Eli Rogers if his labors 
shoulds be required. Wm. C. H. Bliss was not ad- 
mitted nor William Weslake readmitted, but may be 
employed by his Presiding Elder should his labors be 
required. Conference adjourned. 

Friday, 8 :30 o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant 
to adjournment and was opened according to rule. 
Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded to 
business. The report of the trustees of the Indiana 
Asbury University was presented to conference, which 
referred to a committee consisting of Samuel C. Coop- 
er, A. Eddy, C. W. Ruter, A. Wiley and James L. 
Thompson. 

Conference then proceeded to the consideration of 
the third question on the minutes, viz: Who are ad- 



188 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



mitted into full connection? Wm. H. Good, E. L. 
Kemp, John H. Bruce, Wm. Frailey, I. B. Mershon, A. 
F. Robinson, Isaac Kelso, F. M. Richmond, George M. 
Boyd, Jacob Colclazier, G. C. Becks and Philip May, 
having been previously examined by the committee, 
were called forward and questioned and advised by 
the bishop as the discipline directs, after which their 
characters were severally examined, and they were 
all admitted, and elected to deacon orders, except F. 
Richmond, G. C. Becks and P. May, who were elected 
to elder's orders, having been previously ordained 
deacons. 

Thos. P. McCool, John Newell and John Hasty were 
discontinued at their own request. John F. Truslow 
was discontinued in consequence of ill health. C. Hall 
and John M. Cole were discontinued. Wade Poesy, H. 
B. Beets were continued on trial. 

A motion, Resolved that the president revise the 
course of study for the conference. The report of the 
Board of Visitors to the Indiana Asbury University 
was presented to conference, and on motion, was re- 
ferred to the committee, to whom was referred the re- 
port of the Board of Trustees of said university. Con- 
ference then proceeded to the consideration of the 
second question on the minutes : Who remain on trial ? 
Characters of Samuel Gillet, Isaac Crawford, Thomas 
S. Spillman, I. Royce, John B. Burt, John Edwards, M. 
Miller, Daniel H. Dickinson, Wm. Meggins, Joseph S. 
Barwick, Jacob Myers, Jacob Miller, Wm. I. Forbes, 
F. H. Casey, Thomas P. Owen, Emmons Rutledge, John 
Kiger, George W. Bowers, Alexander L. Miller, Amos 
Bussey, Silas Rawson and William Knowles were sev- 
erally examined and passed. John W. Weekly was, by 
a transfer from Ohio conference, received on trial. 
Joseph H. Hannaman, Thomas Poyner, Wm. Hulburt 
and Mark Bruffy were discontinued. On motion, con- 
ference adjourned to meet at three o'clock p. m. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 189 



Friday, 3 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant to 
adjournment and was opened according to rule. Jour- 
nal read and approved, Bishop Soule in the chair, con- 
ference proceeded to business. 

The committee to whom was referred the report of 
the Board of Trustees of the Indiana Asbury Univer- 
sity presented their report, which was read and 
adopted, and on motion, ordered to be spread on the 
Journal as follows: 

The committee to whom were referred the reports 
of the boards of trustees and visitors of the Indiana 
Asbury University have had the same under considera- 
tion, and take leave to report the following' resolu- 
tions : 

Resolved, 1st., That the thanks of this conference 
be presented to the board of trustees for their regular 
and prudent management of the institution over which 
they have presided. 

Resolved, 2nd., That the president of the confer- 
ence be requested to appoint two agents from the con- 
ference to operate in behalf of said university. 2 

Resolved, 3rd, That we deem it inexpedient at this 
time to send an agent out of our state to solicit funds 
for our university. 

"2 At the last annual Conference I was appointed one of the 
agents for the Indiana Asbury University. I commenced my 
work as an agent in Indianapolis when I spent two or three weeks 
during the session of the Legislature and did something very 
handsome among the members. My next point was Spencer, a 
little town of about 400 population and here I obtained subscrip- 
tions to the amount of $600. From here I proceeded to Rockville 
and from there to Crawfordsville and on to Terre Haute. From 
thence I came to Vincennes. To the astonishment of all I pro- 
cured in this place funds to the amount of $1,020. My next place 
was Washington, a little place of about 500 population. From 
common fame I thought it rather a gloomy outlook for an agent, 
but to their honor I procured notes to the amount of $700. I am 
now on my way to Carlisle, March 1, 1838. Yours," 

WILLIAM M. DAILY. 



190 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Resolved, 4th, That the trustees are hereby respect- 
fully requested not to appropriate any part of the 
funds raised for a permanent endowment, for any 
other purpose than the payment of salaries of profes- 
sors, agents and the purchase of a library and appara- 
tus for the institution. 

Resolved, 5th, That I. M. Allison be appointed a 
trustee to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of 
James Montgomery, and that Alexander T. Farrow, 
William Crumpton, James Nosier and John Wiikins be 
appointed to fill the places of Robert R. Roberts, S. E. 
Leonard, Jacob Hays and Martin M. Ray, whose seats 
have been declared vacant. 

Resolved, 6th, That the secretary of the conference 
be requested to furnish a copy of report of the board of 
visitors for publication in the Western Christian Ad- 
vocate. Also a copy of these resolutions to the presi- 
dent of the board of trustees of the Indiana Asbury 
University — all of which is respectfully submitted. 

S. C. COOPER, Chairman. 

Conference then proceeded to the consideration of 
the fourth question on the minutes, viz. : Who are the 
deacons? The characters of Isaac McEllroy, Jacob M. 
Stallard, Benjamin F. Griffith, John F. Bayless and 
William D. Rops were severally examined and passed. 
Wm. B. Ross was located at his own request. Confer- 
ence proceeded to the consideration of the fifth ques- 
tion on the minutes, viz. : Who have been elected and 
ordained elders? And that characters of F. C. Holli- 
day, Isaac Owen, Thomas Bartlett, Sanford S. Will- 
iams, I. W. Sullivan, Daniel Demott, W. W. Hibben, 
C. B. Jones, Erastus Kellog and Henry Dane were sev- 
erally examined and elected to Elders' Orders. James 
V. Watson was not elected, and on motion changed to 
a superannuated relation. Conference adjourned. 

Saturday, one-half past eight o'clock a. m. Con- 
ference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 191 

according to rule. Journal read and approved. Bishop 
Souie in the chair. Conference proceeded to business. 
On motion, resolved, that Brother Wiley be requested 
to preach the funeral sermon of Brother Barnes, de- 
ceased, on Sabbath at three o'clock p. m. S. C. Cooper, 
A. Eddy and H. S. Talbott were nominated a committee 
to estimate the table expenses of Bishop Roberts. 

Conference proceeded to take up the case of local 
preachers recommended for Deacons' Orders. And 
Amos Bussey, Isaac Crawford, David Stucker, Mil- 
tiades Miller, John A. Spear, Jacob L. Pfoff, Hezikiah 
Smith, John Newell, E. Van Schoick, William Mc- 
Gimes, John P. Sinclair, Henry Be±.HSsoi, Henry D. 
Lee, William Webb, Thomas C. Griffith, John Robin- 
son, Josiah I. Cooper, William H. Sampson, William 
C. H. Bliss, John Martin, Matthias Stover, C. Hall, 
James Taylor and John Crouch were elected to that 
office. John G. Gallaspy, R. K. McAilum, Hurbert P. 
Debuler, Lane W. Posey, Eli Rogers, Samuel Smith and 
G. Shannahan, were not elected. On motion the vote 
by which H. P. Debruler was elected to Deacons' Or- 
ders, was reconsidered, and after some debate on the 
vote, was taken and lost. 

Conference then took up the case of local deacons 
recommended to Elders' Orders. Alfred I. Colton, 
Nathan Fairchild and John Decker were elected to 
that office. 

The following preamble and resolution were read 
and adopted, to-wit : 

Whereas, There has been a very general neglect in 
receiving members into full connection into the church, 
and, 

Whereas, This neglect has been in consequence of 
the careless manner pursued in recording the names of 
probationers ; therefore, 

Resolved, That each preacher of this conference 
appointed in charge of a circuit or station, in going to 



192 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



his charge, shall cause a church register 3 provided in 
which shall be inserted the names of all members and 
probationers, stating clearly the dates when the proba- 
tioners joined on trial, and also who shall cease to be 
members in the circuit or station, whether by death, 
removal, expulsion or withdrawal, and the discontinu- 
ance of all probationers. A. WILEY, 

C. W. RUTER. 

The following resolution was read and adopted by 
motion : 

Resolved, That the Presiding Elder be requested to 
inquire at their quarterly meetings if the preachers in 
charge have attended to the duties enjoined in the fore- 
going resolution. JAMES L. THOMPSON, 

SAMUEL C. COOPER. 

Whereupon, the following resolution was unani- 
mously adopted : 

Resolved, That we have no discretion in admitting 
persons to our love and class meetings (not members 
of our church) oftener than discipline permits. 

A. EDDY, 

W. W. HIBBEN. 

A communication was received from Amos Spark 
relative to his location by this conference and being 
read a motion was made to readmit him which was lost. 
A motion was made to reconsider the vote by which 
Clifford Shannahan was elected to Deacons' Orders, 
which failed. On motion, resolved, that the secretary 
of this conference be requested to furnish each Presid- 
ing Elder a copy of the resolution requiring each 

3 The need of such a register was very much in evidence. At 
this time there were no public places for meeting, neither was 
there any scheduled time for meeting. The circuitous route over 
which the circuit rider had to travel together with the long inter- 
vals in which no service was held, made it almost impossible for 
him to remember the members of his congregation unless some 
written accounts were kept. ' 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 193 



preacher in charge to keep a church record. Confer- 
ence adjourned. 

Monday, one-half past eight o'clock a. m. Con- 
ference met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened 
according to rule. Journal read and approved. Bishop 
Soule in the chair. Conference proceeded to business. 
The members in society, after which conference pro- 
ceeded to fix, by ballot, its next annual session, and on 
counting the votes, Lawrenceburgh was found to have 
a majority of votes and was declared the place of hold- 
ing its next annual session of conference. 

The committee appointed to estimate the table ex- 
penses of Bishop Roberts reported that they had esti- 
mated the same at three hundred dollars. 

The stewards presented their report which was 
read, amended and on motion adopted. On motion, 
resolved, that the superintendent be requested to ap- 
point an agent for the Preachers' Aid Society the pres- 
ent year. 

The following resolution was offered, and on mo- 
tion adopted : 

Resolved, That the avails of the Preachers' Aid So- 
ciety be appropriated to the most necessitous cases 
(by the stewards) according to the provisions of the 
constitution of said society. And, on motion, 

Resolved, That the Presiding Elders be requested 
to report to the stewards the most necessitous cases in 
their bounds. Conference then went into the exami- 
nation of the characters of Elders, and on motion 
resolved to dispense with the usual formality of their 
retiring from the room during the examination of 
their character, the Presiding Elders and those against 
whom charges may be brought, excepted. The name 
of E, G. Wood was called and a charge was preferred 
against him by Miles Huffaker for an improper dis- 
charge of his duties of and his office as a Presiding 
Elder. The specifications in the charge having been 

(.13) 



194 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



read, and plead and implied by the parties, they re- 
tired, and conference passed the following resolutions : 

Resolved, That in the opinion of this conference, 
the 1st, 2d, 3rd and 4th specifications in the charge are 
sustained by the evidence in the case. 

Resolved, Therefore, that in the opinion of this con- 
ference, the charge preferred against E. G. Wood is 
sustained. 

Resolved, That in the opinion of this conference 
Brother Wood did not intentionally err in the dis- 
charge of the duties of his office. Conference ad- 
journed. 

Tuesday, one-half past eight o'clock a. m. Con- 
ference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened 
according to rule. Journal read and approved, con- 
ference proceeded to business. Bishop Soule in the 
chair. 

On motion, the vote by which the report of the 
stewards was accented was reconsider ed, and on mo- 
tion recommitted for amendment. The stewards then 
presented their report as amended which was read and 
on motion adopted. 

The stewards also presented their report on the 
avails of the Preachers' Aid Society, which was read, 
and, on motion, recommitted for amendment. The 
report was then presented as amended and was not 
accepted. 

A motion was made to refund the avails of the 
Preachers' Aid Society which was lost, and on motion 
was recommitted. Conference then resumed the ex- 
amination of the characters of elders, and E. G. Wood, 
Lewis Hulbert, James Jones, James T. Robe, Charles 
Bonner, Miles Huffaker, C. W. Ruter, Aaron Wood, 
Ebenezer Patrick, G. K. Hester, William V. Daniel, 
Jesse C. Harbin, John Kerns, Augustus Eddy, J. C. 
Smith, Asa Beck, Henry S. Talbott, Amasa Johnson, 
E. P. Farmer, James L. Thompson, Thomas Ray, C. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 195 



M. Holliday, Enoch Wood, John Miller, John Daniel, 
C. M. Reeves, A. Wiley, Joseph White, Cornelius 
Swank, A. Beach, B. Westlake, L. D. Smith, H. Vre- 
denburgh, T. I. Brown, Richard Hargrave, Boyd 
Phelps, Richard S. Robinson, Stephen R. Ball, David 
Stiver, Elijah Whitten, James Scott, Robert Burns, 
G. M. Beswick, William Shanks, S. C. Cooper, William 
M. Daily, J. A. Brouse, James Havens, Rodman Lewis, 
Joseph Tarkington, William H. Smith, John Ritchey, 
James S. Harrison, William Todd and Henry Vanorder 
were severally examined and passed. John Kerns, 
Asa Beck, Robert Burns, William Shanks and John 
Ritchey were superannuated. Boyd Phelps, S. R. Ball 
and H. Vanorder were located at their own request. 
The relation of Rodman Lewis, Joseph Tarkington and 
William H. Smith was changed from superannuated 
to effective. Hiram Griggs withdrawn. 

Conference then resumed the consideration of the 
first question on the minutes, and James Crawford was 
admitted. Obadiah Johnson, recommended from Ohio 
conference, was not admitted. Conference adjourned 
to meet at three o'clock p. m. 

Tuesday, three o'clock p. m. Conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment and was opened according to 
rule. Journal read and approved. Bishop Soule in 
the chair. Conference proceeded to business. 

The stewards presented their report on the avails 
of the Preachers' Aid Society, which was read, and, 
on motion, adopted. The committee on the Book Con- 
cern presented their report which was read and 
adopted. John A. Decker was recommended for read- 
mission but was not admitted. On motion, the Pre- 
siding Elder, in whose district W. C. H. Bliss and E. 
Lank may reside, were permitted to employ them 
should their services be needed. 

The committee on memoirs presented their report 
containing the memoir of Benjamin N. Bains which 



196 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



was read and accepted. The committee on the New 
Albany Seminary presented their report which was 
read and accepted. Conference then went into the 
election of a board of visitors to the Indiana Asbury 
University which shall consist of nine, and on counting 
the votes the following persons were found to be 
elected : A. Wiley, C. W. Ruter, A. Eddy, S. C. Cooper, 
E. R. Ames, I. C. Smith, H. S. Talbott, James Havens 
and James L. Thompson. 

The following resolution was offered and adopted, 
viz. : 

Resolved, That the visitors elected by the confer- 
ence be and are hereby required so to arrange their 
work in their respective fields of labor so as to enable 
them to attend the semi-annual meetings of the board 
of visitor. S. C. COOPER, 

C. W. RUTER. 

The following resolutions were offered and on mo- 
tion adopted: 

Resolved, That each member of this conference or 
preacher on trial who shall raise fifty dollars for the 
Indiana Asbury University shall be entitled to a cer- 
tificate of scholarship for three years, or six years for 
one hundred dollars. S. C. COOPER, 

C. W. RUTER. 

Resolved, 2nd, That in the opinion of this confer- 
ence it would be expedient for the trustees of the 
Indiana Asbury University to instruct their agents to 
sell certificates of perpetual scholarship for five hun- 
dred dollars each. C. W. RUTER, 

H. S. TALBOTT. 

Resolved, 3rd, That each and every preacher in 
this conference who shall raise five hundred dollars or 
more within five years, for the endowment of a pro- 
fessorship in the Indiana Asbury University (regu- 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 197 



larly appointed agents accepted) shall be entitled to 

a certificate of a perpetual scholarship. 

C. W. RUTER, 
H. S. TALBOTT. 

On motion, resolved, that the Presiding Elder, in 
charge of the Charleston District, and the preachers 
in charge of the New Albany and Jeffersonville Sta- 
tions be a board of visitors for the New Albany Semi- 
nary. Alien Wiley, C. W. Ruter, H. S. Talbott, E. R. 
Ames and I. C. Smith were appointed by the chair on 
the examining committee to examine candidates for 
admission into full connection. The following reso- 
lutions were offered and on motion adopted: 

Inasmuch as this conference considers intemper- 
ance a great evil in a social, civil and religious point of 
view, and, one against which the combined influence 
of all good men should be expected, therefore, 

Resolved, 1st, That we feel deeply convinced of the 
necessity, importance, and utility of the temperance 
reformation as carried on by * the organization of tem- 
perance societies upon the principles of entire absti- 
nence from all intoxicating drinks. 4 

Resolved, 2d, That viewing this organization 
(which brings to bear against the cause of intemper- 
ance the united energies of all the philanthropists, 
moralists and Christians who wil\ engage therein) as 
the only safe and speedy remedy for intemperance, and 

4 The spread of intelligence brought about a movement to 
reform manners. Attention was especially directed to the misuse 
of spirituous liquors. Total abstinence societies began to be 
formed about the year 1824 and in five years more than a thou- 
sand had been organized. Zealous preachers of temperance went 
into every part of the country with the result that many people 
were enlisted into the movement In 1830 temperance organiza- 
tions began to be known as Washington Societies. By 1840 the 
movement began to work for the prohibition of the sale and manu- 
facture of spirituous liquors. Bassett. "A Short History of the 
United States." p. 480. 



198 CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 



therefore demand the hearty co-operation of each of 
the above named classes of society. 

Resolved, 3d, That this conference request each 
preacher to exert his influence in behalf of this good 
cause by aiding in temperance investigations privately 
— the organization of societies publicly — soliciting 
subscriptions for the Indiana Temperance Advocate 
particularly, as well as other temperance publications 
in general — that the public may thereby be informed 
generally on this important subject. 

JAMES L. THOMPSON, 
LEWIS HULBERT. 

The president informed the conference that the 
next annual session will commence on the 23d of Oc- 
tober, 1839. Conference adjourned. 

Wednesday, eight o'clock a. m. Conference met 
pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to 
rule. Journal read and approved. Bishop Soule in 
the chair. Conference proceeded to business. Confer- 
ence spent some time in taking the numbers of Sunday 
Schools, the amount of missionary monies, etc. On 
motion the vote by which William H. Smith was re- 
turned effective was reconsidered, and on motion a 
supernumerary relation was granted him. A motion 
was made to change the vote by which I. V. Watson 
was returned superannuated, which was lost. On mo- 
tion L. D. Smith was located. These resolutions were 
offered and adopted : 

Resolved, That the thanks of this conference be 
given to the managers and agents of the Preachers' 
Aid Society, for the able and satisfactory manner in 
which they have discharged the trust committed to 
their care. 

Resolved, 2d, That this conference respectfully re- 
quest the managers of said society to procure an agent, 
if practicable, for the present year. 

Resolved, 3d, That the thanks of this conference 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 199 



be tendered to the citizens of Rockville for the liberal 
and hospitable manner in which they have entertained 
the members of conference, and the preacher who may 
be stationed in Rockville make it public. 

A. EDDY, 

H. S. TALBOTT. 

Resolved, That the thanks of this conference be 
tendered to members of the Presbyterian Church for 
the use of their house. On motion the following reso- 
lutions were adopted : 

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed 
to draft a memorial to congress, praying the donation 
of one township of land for the Indiana Asbury Uni- 
versity. J. C. Smith, Allen Wiley, and A. Eddy were 
appointed that committee. 

Resolved, That the above committee be requested to 
draft petitions to be circulated among the preachers 
for the signatures of the people, praying of Congress 
such a donation of land. After an appropriate address 
from the president the appointments of the preachers 
were read out, and, on motion, conference adjourned to 
meet at Lawrenceburgh, Dearborn county, Indiana, 
October 23, 1839. J. C. SMITH, Secretary. 

J. SOULE. 

APPOINTMENTS FOR 1838. 

Madison District. 

Enoch G. Wood, Presiding Elder. 

Madison — Edward R. Ames. 

Vevay — Sanford S. Williams, William Fraley. 

Canaan — Henry S. Dane. 

Rising Sun — Fernandes C. Holliday. 

Lawrenceburg — Joseph Tarkington. 

Wilmington — Charles Bonner, Samuel T. Gillet. 

Brookville — James Jones, Lysander Wiley. 

Greensburg — Amos Bussey, Melville Wiley. 



200 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



V ersailles — Lewis Hurlburt. 
Vernon — Constant B. Jones. 
Scipio — Thomas F. Spillman. 

Chariestown District. 

Calvin W. Ruter, Presiding Elder. 

New Albany — John C. Smith, Silas Rawson. 

Corydon — William V. Daniel, John Talbott. 

Greenville — Benjamin T. Griffith. 

Paoli— Jacob M. Stallard, James Crawford. 

Brownstown — Philip May. 

Salem — George K. Hester, Jacob Myers. 

Lexington — Thomas S. Gunn. 

Chariestown — Isaac Owen, Emmons Rutledge. 

Jeffersonville — William H. Good. 

Indianapolis District. 

Augustus Eddy, Presiding Elder. 
Indianapolis — Allen Wiley. 

Greenfield — Francis M. Richmond, Jos. S. Barwick. 
Shelby ville — James Scott, George Havens. 
Rushville — William W. Hibben, James Hill. 
Nobles ville — Lucian W. Berry, Pleasant E. Royce. 
Augusta — Hezekiah Smith. 
Franklin — Isaac Crawford, John Edwards. 
Columbus — Miltiades Miller, Landy Havens. 
Mooresville — John B. Birt, John L. Kelly. 

Bloomington District. 

Henry S. Talbott, Presiding Elder. 
Bloomington — Charles M. Holliday. 
Springville — William Meginnis, Lewis L. Allen. 
Bedford — Amasa Johnson. 
Greencastle — Ebenezer Patrick. 
Greencastle Circuit — Hakaliah Vredenburg, Will- 
iam H. Smith, sup. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 201 



Putnamville — Ezra L. Kemp. 
Spencer — Aleander L. Miller. 
Brown Mission — Miles Huffaker. 
Rockville — Cornelius Swank. 
Russelville — William Wilson. 

Indiana Asbury University — Cyrus Nutt, John W. 
Weekley, professors; Samuel C. Cooper, Zachariah 
Games, agents. 

Vincennes District. 

John Miller, Presiding Elder. 
Vincennes — Rodman Lewis. 
Terre Haute — John Daniel. 
Carlisle — Thomas Ray, William F. W T heeler. 
Washington — Isaac M'Elroy. 
Princeton — William Knowles. 
Mt. Vernon — Henry Beharrell, Jacob Miller. 
Booneville — Anthony Robinson. 
Rome — Jesse C. Harbin. 
Evansville — John S. Bayless. 
Bloomfield — William J. Borbes. 
Terre Haute Circuit — Daniel Demott, Thomas 
Bartlett. 

Crawfordsville District. 

T. J. Brown, Presiding Elder. 

Crawfordsville — Richard S. Robinson. 

Crawfordsville Circuit — Jonas L. Belotte. 

Alamo — Daniel H. Dickerson. 

Covington — James L. Thompson, Hawley B. Beers. 

Newtown — Ancil Beach, George W. Stafford. 

Danville — Eli P. Farmer. 

Lafayette — John A. Brouse. 

Dayton— Elza Van Schoick. 

Frankfort — Joseph White. 



202 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA, 



Laporte District. 

Aaron Wood, Presiding Elder. 

Laporte — Richard Hargrave, John B. Jenkins. 

South Bend — James S. Harrison. 

Niles — William H. Sampson. 

Berrien Mission — Joseph Byron. 

Kalamazoo — William Todd, Henry Worthington. 

Allegan — George Stanley. 

St. Joseph — John Ercanbrack, Ebenezer Arnold. 
Elkhart — George M. Boyd, Franklin Gage. 
LaGrange — Warren Griffith, Erastus Kellogg. 
Deep River Mission— Samuel K. Young. 

Centerville District. 

James Havens, Presiding Elder. 
Centerville — J. Kiger, Francis A. Conwell. 
Richmond — John W. Sullivan. 
Winchester — John H. Hall, Francis H. Carey. 
Newcastle — Elijah Whitten. 

Munceytown — Greenbery C. Beeks, Eliphelet S. 
Sheffield. 

Marion — John H. Bruce. 
Connersville — David Stiver, Seth Smith. 
Liberty — Wade Posey — Isaac Kelso. 
Pendleton — Daniel K. Stright. 
Portland Mission — George W. Bowers. 

Logansport District. 

George M. Bewick, Presiding Elder. 
Logansport — Jacob Colclazier. 
Monticello — Enoch Wood. 
Independence — William Campbell. 
Delphi — Josiah J. Cooper. 
Peru — Jared B. Mershon. 
Fort Wayne — James T. Robe. 
Warsaw Mission — Thomas P. Owen. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 203 



Rochester Mission — Burroughs Westlake. 

William M. Daily transferred to the Missouri con- 
ference. Lemuel M. Reeves transferred to the Erie 
conference. 

JOURNAL of the Eighth Session of the Indiana 
Annual Conference held at Lawrenceburgh, Dearborn 
County, October 23, 1839. 

Wednesday morning, nine o'clock. Conference met 
according to appointment and was opened by Bishop 
Roberts by reading a portion of the sacred scripture, 
singing and prayer. The list was called and the fol- 
lowing members answered to their names: E. G. 
Wood, E. R. Ames, S. S. Williams, William Frailey, 
Henry S. Dane, Joseph Tarkington, Charles Bouner, 
James Jones, Lewis Hulbert, C. B. Jones, C. W. Ruter, 
I. C. Smith, William V. Daniel, B. T. Griffith, Philip 
May, George K. Hester, Thomas S. Gunn, Isaac Owen, 
William H. Good, Augustus Eddy, Allen Wiley, James 
Scott, Henry Talbott, C. M. Holliday, Ezra L. Kemp, 
Miles Huffaker, S. C. Cooper, Zachanah Games, John 
Miller, John Daniel, Thomas Ray, Isaac McEllroy, An- 
thony Robbins, Jesse C. Harbin, John S. Bayless, Dan- 
iel DeMott, Thomas Bartlett, Thomas I. Brown, R. S. 
Robinson, Jonas L. Belotte, James L. Thompson, Ancil 
Beach, E. P. Farmer, John A. Brouse, Joseph White, 
Aaron Wood, G. M. Boyd, James Havens, John W. Sul- 
livan, Elijah Whitten, G. C. Beeks, David Stiver, Isaac 
Kelso, G. M. Beswick, Jacob Colclazier, Enoch Wood, 
James T. Robe, John Kerns, Asa Beck, Robert Burns, 
James V. Watson, Matthew Simpson. 

On motion, conference proceeded to elect a princi- 
pal and assistant clerk by ballot, and E. R. Ames was 
elected, and I. C. Smith assistant. On motion, resolved, 
that we have on session per day and that conference 
meet at one-half past eight o'clock a. m. and adjourn 
at one-half past twelve p. m. 



204 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Conference proceeded to elect three stewards, and 
on counting the ballots, S. C. Cooper, James Scott and 
A. Wiley were elected. Two communications from the 
book agents from New York were read and referred 
to the said book committee which were elected by the 
conference, viz: John Brouse, William H. Gooble, and 
John Daniel. The agents at New York requested that 
conference appoint a committee to obtain a correct list 
of the postoffices in the circuits and stations and for- 
ward the names to the agents, and H. S. Talbott, 
Aaron Wood, and R. S. Robinson were appointed that 
committee. On motion the by-laws of the former ses- 
sion were read and adopted for the government of this 
session. 

On motion, resolved, that we will observe Friday 
the twenty-fifth instant, as a day of religious devotion 
in reference to the Centenary of Methodism. 1 On mo- 
tion, resolved, that a committee of five be appointed to 
make arrangements for the celebration, and Allen Wi- 
ley, C. W. Ruter, A. Eddy, E. R. Ames and E. G. Wood 
were appointed said committee. 

On motion, resolved, that during the examination 
of character the conference sit with closed doors ; none 
but members and probationers are allowed to be pres- 
ent. Conference took up the second question on the 
minutes, viz. : Who remain on trial ? And the charac- 

1 On that day Dr. Simpson, the young president of Asbury 
University, made his first appearance in the Indiana Conference. 
"His personal appearance was a perpetual disappointment. He 
was too youthful to meet expectation, being less than thirty years 
old, and his dress was of jeans, neat and well-fitting; but not 
what most expected of so distinguished a man. His praise as 
a preacher was in all the land, and every one desired to hear him. 
This opportunity came in his sermon on the itinerary of Method- 
ism. It was a very powerful one and dealt largely with the then 
much discussed question of the millennium. .Such was the force 
and eloquence of the young man, that many were overcome with 
emotion and he was 'at once voted the prince of pulpit orators.' " 
Autobiography of Joseph Tarkington, pp. 17-20. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 205 



ters of Melville Wiley, Seth Smith, John Schatt, John 
A. Kelly, Hezikiah Smith, L. W. Berry and Cyrus Nutt 
were severally examined and passed and continued on 
trial. Lewis L. Allen was discontinued. The charac- 
ters of Henry Beharreli, William F. Wheeler, George 
W. Stafford, William Wilson, William H. Sampson, 
Francis A. Conwell, John H. Hull, Lysander Wiley, 
James Hill, George Havens, Elisha Vanschoick, and 
William Campbell were severally examined, passed and 
continued. J. J. Cooper was discontinued. J. B. Jen- 
kins was continued on trial. Conference adjourned. 

Thursday morning one-half past eight o'clock. Con- 
ference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened 
according to rule. Journal was read and approved. 
Conference proceeded to business, Bishop Roberts in 
the chair. The conference stewards spent some time in 
attending to their business. Conference resolved to 
draw on the book concern for $500, and on the charter 
fund for $86. 

On motion, resolved, that a financial committee of 
five be appointed to lay before this conference a plan 
for the purpose of producing a uniformity in the fiscal 
transactions of the church in this conference. And 
A. Eddy, C. W. Ruter, S. C. Cooper, A. Wood and I. C. 
Smith were appointed that committee. 

The committee of arrangements for the centenary 
celebration reported as follows : That a prayer meet- 
ing be held in the Methodist church at sunrising and 
conducted by Rev. James Havens. That a sermon be 
delivered at ten o'clock at the same place, by Rev. M. 
Simpson. That there be a centenary meeting at three 
o'clock at the conference for the purpose of receiving 
centenary offerings. And that the missionary society 
hold its anniversary meeting at candle lighting at the 
Methodist church. The above report was accepted. 

Conference resumed the second question on the min- 
utes, viz. : Who remain on trial ? and the characters of 



206 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Daniel K. Stright, Ebenezer Arnold, Landy Havens, 
Joseph Byron, Samuel K. Young, Daniel Worthington, 
Franklin Gage and James Crawford were severally ex- 
amined, approved, passed and continued on trial. E. S. 
Sheffield and George Stanley were discontinued. 

Conference then took up the consideration of the 
third Question on the minutes, viz. : Who are admitted 
into full connection? When the brethren who had been 
previously examined by the committee, appointed for 
that purpose, were called forward by the Bishop and 
questioned by him as the discipline directs: the char- 
acters of S. T. Gillett, Isaac Crawford, Thomas F. Spill- 
man, L B. Burt,, John Edwards, Miltiades Miller, Will- 
iam M. Guines, Jacob Myers, William H. Forbes, Fran- 
cis H. Casey, Emmons Rutledge, John Kiger, George 
W. Bowers, Alexander L. Miller, Amos Bussey, Silas 
Rawson, William Knowles, John W, Weekly, Wade 
Posey, Hawley B. Beers were severally examined and 
passed and elected to Deacons Orders, except Isaac 
Crawford, Thomas F. Spillman and Amos Bussey who 
had been previously ordained to that office. Thomas F. 
Spillman was elected to Elders' Orders. Daniel H. 
Dickinson was discontinued at his own request. P. E. 
Royce was discontinued and also Thomas P. Owen in 
consequence of ill health. Conference adjourned. 

Saturday, one-half past eight o'clock. Conference 
met pursuant to adjournment and was opened accord- 
ing to rule. Journal read and approved. Conference 
proceeded to business, Bishop Morris in the chair. 

Conference took up the fifth question on the minu- 
tes, viz. : Who are elected to Elders' Orders ? The 
characters of Isaac McElroy, Jacob M. Slallard, B. F. 
Griffith, John S. Bayless, G. C. Beeks, Thomas L. Gunn, 
Isaac Owen, James V. Watson were severally examined 
and elected to said orders. Conference then took up 
the consideration of the local preachers recommended 
for Deacons Orders. Elijah Barwick, William J. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 207 



Flemming, John Fish, George C. Shively, Jr., Silas 
Igan and William A. Aldred were elected to Deacons 
Orders. Peter Weaver was not elected. Jacob Bru- 
ner, Thomas B. Springer, John L. Pinkston, Samuel 
Smith, Adison Lane, James Latta, William Morely, El- 
hannon Sweet, D. K. Straight, Stephen Norman, Albert 
G. Perkins and B. H. Bradbury were elected to Dea- 
cons Orders. Conference then took up the considera- 
tion of local deacons recommended for Elders Orders, 
and Jacob Johnson was elected. Thomas Manwarning 
was not elected, Orthniel Talbott was not elected. The 
parchments of Elijah Burns were handed over to the 
conference. Robert Parrot was elected. Conference 
then took up the case of Jacob Miller whose character 
was examined, admitted into full connection and 
elected to Deacons Orders. Isaac Merrill was elected 
to Elders Orders. A communication, signed by the 
president of the board of trustees of Indiana Asbury 
University, was read, which, on motion, was laid on 
the table. On motion, resolved, that a committee of 
three be appointed, to whom the preachers shall report 
the names and amounts of all who have contributed to 
the centenary fund, and register the same into a book 
prepared for that purpose; and make a full report to 
the conference of all money and papers relating to the 
centenary operations. C. W. Ruter, Allen Wiley and 
Richard Hargrave were appointed that committee. 

Conference took up the consideration of the fourth 
question on the minutes, viz.: Who are the deacons? 
And the characters of William H. Good. Ezra L. Kemp, 
John A. Bruce, William Fraley, Anthony Robinson, 
Isaac Kelso, George M. Boyd and Jacob Colclazier were 
severally examined and passed. On motion the vote 
by which Josiah J. Cooper was discontinued was re- 
considered and he was continued on trial. On motion, 
the vote by which Lewis L. Allen was discontinued be 
reconsidered, and he was continued on trial. Confer- 



208 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



ence took into consideration the first question on the 
minutes, viz. : Who are admitted on trial ? Peter R. 
Guthrie, Daaper Chipman, John F. Truslow, having 
been properly recommended, were admitted on trial. 
When, on motion, conference adjourned. 

Saturday, two o'clock p. m. Conference met pur- 
suant to adjournment and was opened according to 
rule. Journal read and approved. Conference pro- 
ceeded to business. Bishop Roberts in the chair. Con- 
ference resumed the first question on the minutes. 
Lealdes Forbes, Stephen Ravenscroft, Walter L. Huff- 
man, Elijah P. Bracher, B. H. Bradbrugh, Joseph 
Ocherman, G. W. Adams, Hayden Hayes, Thomas H. 
Rucher, John Cowgill, William Bratton, Wesley Dor- 
sey, Oliver S. Wells, John S. Donaldson, Samuel H. 
Rogers, John V. R. Miller, R. C. Rowley, John H. 
Worthing, Enoch Halstock, George W. Baker, Robert 
Curran, E. F. Remington, George W. Walker, Edward 
Oldham, James R. Williams, Washington Malick, Landy 
Roberts, and J. F. Truslow, having been properly rec- 
ommended, were admitted on trial. Conference ad- 
journed to meet on Monday at half-past eight o'clock 
a. m. 

Monday, one half past eight o'clock a. m., confer- 
ence met pursuant to adjournment and was opened 
according to rule. Journal read and approved, Bishop 
Morris in the chair. Conference proceeded to business. 
L. Swormsteat read before conference an exhibit of 
the Western Book Concern, which was ordered to be 
filed with the conference papers. A communication 
was received from the secretary of the Indianapolis 
Bible Society, which being read, was, on motion, laid 
on the table. A communication from the New York 
conference respecting certain temperance resolutions, 
was read before conference, and on motion, Resolved 
that our conference concur with the resolutions of the 
New York conference on that subject, which carried by 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 209 



a vote of seventy-nine to aught. A communication 
from the New England conference, on the subject of 
Slavery was laid before the conference by the presi- 
dent, which, on motion, was acted upon without 
debate. 2 

On motion, Resolved that conference do not concur 
in said resolutions, which carried by a vote of eighty- 
one to 0, and on motion, resolved, that the balance 
of the resolutions from said conference be indefinitely 
postponed. Bishop then asked who are readmitted? 
William B. Kops, Allen D. Beasley, Henry Vanorder 
were readmitted. The stewards then spent some time 
in attending to their business. When conference pro- 
ceeded to the examination of the characters of the 
elders. And, on motion, Resolved that the Presiding 
Elders only be requested to withdraw from the room 
during the examination of characters, and E. G. Wood, 
E. R. Ames, S. S. Williams, H. S. Dane, F. C. Holliday, 
Joseph Tarkington, Charles Bonner, James Jones, 
Lewis Hulbert, C. B. Jones, C. W. Ruter, I. C. Smith, 
William V. Daniel, Philip May, Isaac Owen, Augustus 
Eddy, Allen Wiley, Frances M. Richmond, James 
Scott, W. W. Hibben, H. S. Talbott, C. M. Holliday, 
Amasa Johnson, E. Patrick, H. Vredenburgh, were ex- 
amined and passed. The characters of William H. 
Smith was examined and passed and his relation 
changed from supernumary to effective. The char- 
acters of Miles Huffaker, Samuel C. Cooper, Zachariah 
Games, were examined and passed. The character of 
John Kerns was examined and passed and his supernu- 
nary relation changed to effective. Asa Beck's char- 
acter passed and his relation continued superanuated. 
Robert Burns character passed and his relation 

2 It is a significant fact that the communication on slavery 
came from the New England states, as there was situated the 
heart of the anti-slavery movement. The first Methodist anti- 
slavery societies were formed in New England. (Sweet Methodist 
Episcopal Church and the Civil War, 19-20.) 



(14) 



210 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



changed from superannuated to effective. William 
Shanks character passed and his superannuated rela- 
tion continued. John Richie's character passed, and a 
motion was made to locate him, which, after some de- 
bate, was withdrawn. A motion was then made to 
render him effective, which was lost. It was decided 
that his superannuated relation be continued, which 
was carried. James V. Watson's character was ex- 
amined and passed, and his relation was changed from 
superannuated to effective. The character of John 
Miller was passed. Rodman Lewis's name was called, 
and after some debate, his case was, on motion, re- 
ferred to a committee of three, viz., A. Wiley, I. L. 
Thompson and Joseph Tarkington. The characters of 
John Daniel, Thomas Ray, J. C. Harbin, Daniel De- 
Mott, Thomas Bartlett, Thomas J. Brown, R. S. Rob- 
inson, James L. Thompson, Jonas L. Belotte, A. Beach, 
E. P. Palmer, were severally examined and passed, and 
Brother Farmer asked and received a local relation. 
John A. Brouse and Joseph White were examined and 
passed. On motion, Brothers Eddy, Ruter and Cooper 
were excused from acting on the financial committee, 
and, on motion, William C. Good, John S. Bayless and 
John Daniel were nominated and elected to fill those 
vacancies. Conference adjourned. 

Tuesday, October 29th, one half past eight o'clock 
a. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment and 
was opened according to rule. On motion, the calling 
of the list was dispensed with the balance of the ses- 
sion. The Journal was read, amended and approved. 
Conference proceeded to business, Bishop Morris in 
the chair. Brother Swormstedt spent some time in 
attending to business of the Western Book Agency. 
The committee appointed in the case of Rodman Lewis 
reported as follows: The committee beg leave to re- 
port that from all the information they can get on the 
subject, there has been such a total disregard of pre- 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 211 



ordination vows and such duplicity on the part of the 
said Lewis, that your committee deem him unworthy 
of an accredited standing as a christian minister in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, or other respectable 
denomination, in view, however, of the facts, that he 
had connected himself with another denomination, and 
declared himself withdrawn from ours before any 
action was had in his case, we would recommend that 
it be stated upon the Journal of the conference, that 
said Lewis has withdrawn from our connection, and 
that it be so stated on the minutes of conference, of 
which is respectfully submitted, 

A. WILEY, Chairman. 

Said report was read, amended, and adopted, and, 
on motion, the secretary was requested to furnish said 
Lewis with a copy of said report. On motion, Aaron 
Wood was appointed to fill the vacancy in the Mission- 
ary Committee, occasioned by the absence of William 
Shanks. 

Conference resumed the examination of the char- 
acters of elders, the characters of Aaron Wood, William 
Todd, John Eecanbrack, Erastus Kellog, Richard Har- 
grave, B. Weslake, Warren Griffith, James Havens, I. 
W. Sullivan, Elijah Whitten, David Stiver, were sever- 
ally examined and passed. Conference resolved, that 
Brother Stiver is justifiable in claiming quarterly for 
his wife. The characters of George W. Beswick, 
Enoch Wood, James T. Robe were severally examined 
and passed. Brother Robe asked and obtained a loca- 
tion. 

The case of Joseph Barwick was considered and he 
continued on trial. On motion, the vote by which 
Joseph E. Beecher was admitted on trial was recon- 
sidered and his Presiding Elder asked and obtained 
leave to withdraw his recommendation. On motion, 
Resolved, that Brother Eddy be appointed to receive 
and pay over all centenary monies appropriated to any 



212 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



specific purposes, and that all other monies not thus 
appropriated by donors, shall be given to the Indiana 
Asbury University. A communication from the Board 
of Managers of the Preachers' Aid Society requesting 
the appointment of the Rev. James S. Harrison, as an 
agent for the society, during the present year, and, 
on motion, their request was granted. The committee 
to whom was referred the request of the agents of New 
York on the subject of postoffices, reported it imprac- 
ticable to comply with their request, and asked leave to 
be discharged from further considerations of the sub- 
ject, which was granted. Conference proceeded to fix 
the place of its next annual meeting, and on counting 
the votes, Indianapolis received the majority of votes. 
A motion was made to go into the election of delegates 
to General Conference, which was lost. Resolved, that 
the Bishop be requested to assign to the different mem- 
bers of the examining committee the respective 
branches of study on which each shall examine. Re- 
solved, that conference take up, examine, amend, and 
adopt the course of study prepared by Bishop Soule, or 
some other furnished by the Bishop now present. 
Signed by A. Wiley and A. Eddy. 

On motion, Resolved, that the Bishop be requested 
to prepare a course of study for the preachers on trial 
for the first year, and appoint a committee to examine 
them. A motion was made to extend the course of 
study to the third and fourth year, which was lost. 
Conference adjourned. 

Wednesday, one half past eight o'clock a. m., con- 
ference met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened 
according to rule. The Journal was read, amended 
and approved. Conference proceeded to business, 
Bishop Morris in the chair. On motion, Resolved, that 
the Bishop be requested to transfer Joseph Marsee to 
this conference. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 213 



Bishop Morris reported the following course of 
study for the first year, also the committee : 

First year — The Bible, as to doctrine, with the aid 
of Wesley's Notes, and Watson's Dictionary, C. W. 
Ruter. 

Wesley's Sermons — Aaron Wood. 
Fletcher's Appeal — James Havens. 
English Grammar and Composition — Ebenezer 
Patrick. 

Second Year — The Bible generally, with the aid of 
Benson's or Clark's Commentary — A. Wiley. 

The Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
—A. Eddy. 

Watson's Life of Wesley — Samuel C. Cooper. 
The Doctrinal part of Watson institutes — E. R. 
Ames. 

Ruter's Church History — M. Simpson. 

English Grammar and Composition — J. C. Smith. 

N. B. — The person first named for each year is 
chairman of the committee, and in case any member of 
his committee be absent, he shall conduct the examina- 
tion on the branch assigned such absent member or 
appoint some one to do it for him. On motion, Re- 
solved, that two hundred copies of study be printed 
for the use of conference, of the work can be done be- 
fore conference adjourns. On motion, F. C. Holliday 
and John S. Bayless were appointed a committee to 
attend to that business. 

The stewards then presented their report which 
was read, amended and approved. The stewards re- 
ported the appropriation which they have made of 
funds arising from the Preachers' Aid Society, which 
on motion, was laid on the table. 

On motion, 0. S. Powell, boatman chaplain, at Cin- 
cinnati, was permitted to address the conference on 
the subject of his agency. Whereupon the following 
resolutions unanimously passed, viz., Resolved, that 



214 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



we cordially approve the object of the Boatmen Bethel 
Society on our navigible waters. A. Eddy, A. Wiley. 

Second, Resolved, that we recommend to our mem- 
bers and ministers to aid in promoting religion among 
the boatmen within our bounds. A. Eddy, A. Wiley. 

The number of members was then called for, after 
which the missionary committee made their report, 
which was adopted. When, on motion, the conference 
went into the election of delegates to the next General 
Conference and on counting the votes, A. Wiley, E. R. 
Ames, C. W. Ruter and A. Eddy were declared duly 
elected on the first ballot. On the second balloting, 
there was no choice. On motion, Resolved, that con- 
ference continue its present session half an hour. After 
three ballotings, Aaron Wood was declared duly elected. 
A committee of three were appointed to estimate the 
table expenses of Bishop Roberts. Brothers Ruter, 
Wiley and Thompson were elected that committee. 

A preamble and resolutions were offered by C. W. 
Ruter and A. Wiley by which Bishop R. R. Roberts, in 
consequence of his increasing infirmities, be requested 
to remove to some prominent point in this state which 
may best suit his feelings, where his brethren and 
friends may have more ready access to him, that they 
may render him such attention as the church feels anx- 
ious he should receive. By a rising vote, conference 
unanimously resolved to make the request. On motion, 
resolved, that this conference will cordially receive 
Brother Edward Smith of the Pittsburgh conference, if 
the Bishop will transfer him. 

On motion, resolved that conference adjourn to 
meet at half past two o'clock p. m., conference ad- 
journed. 

3 Bishop Roberts, however, in spite of the urgent request of the 
Indiana Conference and of those of several personal friends in 
that Conference, declined to move. At his advanced age he did 
not think it wise to change his residence and form "new neighbor- 
hood alliances." (Elliott, Life of Roberts, 336.) 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 215 



Wednesday, one half past two o'clock p. m., con- 
ference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened 
according to rule. The Journal read and approved, 
and, on motion, conference proceeded to business, 
Bishop Morris in the chair. Conference proceeded to 
elect two reserved delegates and on counting the votes, 
John C. Smith was elected on the first ballot, and John 
Miller on the second ballot. On motion, conference 
proceeded to elect nine visitors to the Indiana Asbury 
University. On counting the votes, A. Wiley, S. C. 
Cooper, James L. Thompson, Edward R. Ames, C. W. 
Ruter, J. C. Smith, James Havens, A. Eddy and H. S. 
Talbott were declared duly elected. The following 
resolutions were then offered and passed: 

Resolved, that our delegates to the next General 
Conference be, and are hereby instructed, to use their 
influence to make the line dividing the state of Indiana 
and Michigan the northern boundary of this confer- 
ence. S. C. Cooper, James Havens. 

Resolved, that our delegates to the next General 
Conference be, and they are hereby instructed, to use 
thir influence to make the line dividing the state of 
Indiana and Illinois the western boundary of the In- 
diana conference. S. C. Cooper, A. Wiley. 

Resolved, that the preachers of this body be re- 
quested to return to the original plainness of Meth- 
odism i. e., that they all be requested to wear either 
the round breasted or plain frock coat. Thomas I. 
Brown, I. White. 

Resolved, that a committee of three be appointed to 
employ a person suitable to record the names of donors 
of centenary offerings, and that said committee report 
to the next annual conference. 

Resolved that said committee are hereby instructed 
to have said names recorded with india ink in a suit- 
able book, procured by them prepared for that pur- 
pose. A. Wiley, J. T. Robe. 



216 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



On motion, the committee formallly appointed to 
attend to this business was released, and, on motion, 
Brothers A. W. Morris and A. Harrison and the 
preacher in charge of Indianapolis station were ap- 
pointed that committee. 

Joseph Carter was recommended from the Madison 
district and received on trial. 

The report of the Board of Visitors of the Indiana 
Asbury University was read, and on motion, James 
Fisk and Daniel Harrell were elected to fill two 
vacancies in the Board of Trustees of said university 
in the places of Samuel Taylor and Calvin Fletcher, 
whose seats were vacated in consequence of their ab- 
sence. 

On motion, the report of the stewards in reference 
to the income from the Preachers' Aid Society was 
adopted. On motion, conference adjourned. 

Tuesday, one half past eight o'clock a. m., confer- 
ence met pursuant to adjournment and was opened ac- 
cording to rule, and Journal read. 

On motion, the vote by which George M. Beswick 
was superannuated, was reconsidered and he received 
an effective relation. On motion, the vote by which 
Daniel Harrell was elected a trustee of the Indiana 
Asbury University was reconsidered, and, on motion, 
A. W. Morris was elected to that office. On motion, the 
vote by which Lewis Roberts was received on trial, was 
reconsidered and, on motion, his Presiding Elder ob- 
tained leave to withdraw his recommendation. The 
stewards made their report of the disposition which 
they had made of the funds which they obtained of 
the Preachers' Aid Society, as follows : 



William H. Smith 
H. Vredenburgh _ 

J. Miller 

J. L. Thompson _ 



$56.50 
60.00 
20.00 
30.00 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 217 



J. Kerns __. 
M. Huffaker 



50.00 
30.00 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 

The committee appointed to estimate the expenses 
of Bishop Robert's family, reported an allowance of 
$300, which was adopted. The financial committee 
presented their report, which was read, and on motion, 
was adopted and ordered to be published in the Christ- 
ian Advocate. The book committee presented their re- 
port, which was read, and on motion, adopted. Re- 
solved, that the American Colonization Society 4 are 
entitled to the confidence and support of our ministers 
and members, and is therefore recommended to their 
charities and general co-operation. A. Eddy, E. R. 
Ames. 

On motion, resolved that the Bishops be, and they 
are, hereby requested to appoint the next and follow- 
ing session some time during the month of September. 

Resolved, that each preacher in charge be directed 
so soon as may be to make collections to defray the 
expenses of delegates to the next General Conference, 
and that they place the same in the hands of the dele- 
gates before they start to conference. 

On motion, the stewards are directed to pay over 
the surplus to Thomas Owen. On motion, resolved that 
a vote of thanks be tendered to the citizens of this town 
for the hospitality shown to the preachers during the 

4 This society was formed in the year 1816, in the city of 
Washington and very soon there were auxiliary branches formed 
in most of the states. ''In its original formation and subsequent 
progress, in its avowals, arguments and acts, it was always sin- 
gularly inconsistent and illogical. It manifestly yielded and pan- 
dered to the wicked prejudice against race and color, and yet it 
called upon churches and Christians to assist in sustaining it as 
an essential part of the missionary enterprise." In reality its 
purpose was supposed to be that of taking the free negroes to 
Africa and there giving them a chance to govern themselves. 
(Wilson, "Rise and Fall of the Slave Power in America," 208.) 



2 1 8 CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 



session of conference, and also to the pastors and mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian and Baptist Churches for the 
use of their houses of worship during the session of 
this conference. On motion, Resolved, that the editor 
of the Beacon be requested to publish the foregoing 
resolutions. 

The appointments having been read by Bishop 
Morris, conference adjourned. 

THOMAS A. MORRIS. 
E. R. AMES, Secretary. 

Lawrenceburg, October 31, 1839. 

APPOINTMENTS FOR 1839. 

Madison District. 

C. W. Ruter, Presiding Elder. 

Madison— F. C. Holliday, Wm. M. Fraley. 

Canaan — H. S. Dane. 

Vevay — C. B. Jones, George W. Ames. 

Rising Sun— S. T. Gillett, P. R. Guthrie. 

Lawrenceburg — Wm. W. Hibben. 

Wilmington — Charles Bonner, Hayden Hays. 

Versailles — L. Hurlburt. 

Paris — Amos Bussey, J. C. Harbin. 

Indiana German Mission — To be supplied. 

Charlestown District. 

E. G. Wood, Presiding Elder. 

New Albany — J. C. Smith, Wm. Knowls. 

Corydon — J. A. Brouse, W. Malick. 

Greenville — Thomas S. Gunn. 

Rome— B. T. Griffith. 

Salem — W. V. Daniel, James Crawford. 

Charlestown — Isaac Owen, T. J. Doyle. 

Lexington — E. Rutledge, E. Oldham. 

Jeffersonville — William H. Goode. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 219 



Indianapolis District. 

A. Eddy, Presiding Elder. 

Indianapolis — A. Wiley. 

Noblesville — L. W. Berry, J. V. R. Miller. 

Mooresville — Isaac Crawford, Thomas H. Rucker. 

Franklin — Miles Huffaker, Isaac Kelso. 

Shelbyville — R. Hargrave, Joseph Barwick. 

Rushville — James Hill, E. F. Remington. 

Knightstown — J. B. Birt, J. L. Kelley. 

Greenfield — F. M. Richmond, George Havens. 

Pipe Creek Mission — S. S. Williams. 

Agent for Preachers' Aid Society — J. S. Harrison. 

Vincennes District. 

John Miller, Presiding Elder. 
Evansville — John Daniel. 
Mount Vernon — Henry Beharrel, Samuel H. 
Rogers. 

Princeton — Anthony Robinson. 

Boonville — Stephen Ravenscroft, W. F. Wheeler. 

Vincennes — John Kearns. 

Washington — Silas Rawson. 

Bloomfield — Isaac McElroy. 

Carlisle — Thomas Ray, Jacob Miller. 

Knox Mission — William Bratton. 

Crawfordsville District. 

T. J. Brown, Presiding Elder. 
Lafayette — H. B. Beers. 
Dayton — William Wilson. 
Frankfort — Joseph White, George W. Stafford. 
Covington — James L. Thompson, Walter L. Huff- 
man. 

Newtown — Allen D. Beasley, one to be supplied. 
Crawfordsville — Richard S. Robinson. 



220 CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 



Crawfordsville Circuit — Daniel Demott. 
Danville — Enoch Wood, Wesley Dorsey. 

Greencastle DistHct. 

E. R. Ames, Presiding Elder. 

Greencastle — John S. Bayless. 

Greencastle Circuit — H. Vredenburg, R. C. Rawly. 

Putnamville — W. H. Smith. 

Russellville — Ezra L. Kemp. 

Rockville — Amasa Johnson. 

Terre Haute — Ebenezer Patrick. 

Terre Haute Circuit — C. Swank, Thomas Bartlett. 

Alamo — John Edwards. 

Indiana Asbury University — M. Simpson, C. Nutt, 
J. W. Weakly; Samuel C. Cooper, agent. 

Bloomington District. 

H. S. Talbott, Presiding Elder. 
Bloomington — Robert Curren. 
Springville — Alexander L. Miller. 
Bedford— C. M. Holliday. 
Brownstown — P. May, James R. Williams. 
Columbus — G. K. Hester, D. Chipman. 
Spencer — J. M. Stallard, L. Forbes. 
Paoli — William McGinnis, John Talbott. 
Brown Mission — Thomas F. Spillman. 
Richland Mission — George W. Walker. 

Connersville District. 

James Havens, Presiding Elder. 
Connersville — Miltiades Miller, G. W. Bowers. 
Centerville — J. W. Sullivan, Joseph Carter. 
Newcastle — James Scott. 
Liberty — John Kizer, Landy Havens. 
Brookville — James Jones, F. A. Conwell. 
Greensburg — William B. Ross. 



CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 22 1 

Milroy — E. Whitten, F. H. Gary. 
Scipio — Jacob Myers. 

Richmond District. 

Robert Burns, Presiding Elder. 
Richmond — Joseph Tarkington. 
Winchester — J. H. Bruce, Joseph Ockerman. 
Portland — Barden H. Bradbury. 
Munceytown — John H. Hull. 
Marion— Daniel K. Stright. 
Andersontown — Hezekiah Smith. 
Pendleton — John S. Donaldson. 
Bluffton Mission — Seth Smith. 

Logansport District. 

George M. Beswick, Presiding Elder. 

Logansport — John F. Truslow. 

Peru — Burroughs Westlake. 

Little St. Joseph's Mission — Samuel Reed. 

Fort Wayne — Jacob Colclazer. 

Delphi — Ancil Beach. 

Independence — William Campbell, John Sougill. 
Monticello — Joseph J. Cooper. 
Rochester Mission — J. B. Mershon. 
Miami Indian Mission — J. L. Belotte. 

South Bend District. 

Aaron Wood, Presiding Elder. 
South Bend Station — David Stiver. 
Mishawaka — Warren Griffith. 
Goshen — George M. Boyd. 
LaGrange — Wade Posey, Lewis L. Allen. 
Steuben — S. K. Young, E. Holdstock. 
Laporte — Z. Games, George W. Baker. 
Kankakee Mission — William J. Forbes. 
Warsaw — Elza Van Schoick. 



222 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Michigan District. 

John Ercambrack, Presiding Elder. 
Niles — William H, Sampson. 
Edwardsburg — Joseph Byron. 
White Pigeon — James V. Watson. 
Centerville — Erastus Kellogg. 
Kalamazoo — Harvey Van Order, 0. S. Wells. 
Berrien Mission — Franklin Gage. 
Pawpaw Mission — Henry Worthington. 
Allegon — William Todd. 

Melville Wiley and Lysander Wiley transferred to 
the Missouri conference. 

Ebenezer Arnold, transferred to Black River con- 
ference. 

John B. Jenkins, transferred to Genesee confer- 
ence. 

JOURNAL of the Ninth Annual Session of the In- 
diana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
at Indianapolis, Indiana, October 21st, 1840. 

Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock a. m. conference 
met pursuant to adjournment, and no superintendent 
being present, on motion of E. R. Ames, Brother Eddy 
was requested to take the chair, and organize the con- 
ference. The conference was opened by Brother James 
Jones by reading a portion of Scripture, singing and 
prayer. The secretary of the former conference, hav- 
ing called the list, the following members answered to 
their names: Calvin W. Ruter, E. G. Wood, Thomas J. 
Brown, E. R. Ames, Augustus Eddy, John Miller, 
Henry S. Talbott, James Havens, Robert Burns, Geo. 
M. Beswick, Aaron Wood, Henry S. Dane, C. B. Jones, 
William W. Hibben, Lewis Hulbert, J. C. Harbin, John 
A. Brouse, William V. Daniels, Allen Wiley, R. Har- 
grave, John Daniel, John Kerns, Thomas Ray, Allen 
D. Beasly, Daniel Demott, Enoch Wood, John S. Bay- 
less, H. Vredenburgh, Amasa Johnson, E. Patrick, 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 223 



Cornelius Swank, Thomas Bartlett, Samuel C. Cooper, 
Charles M. Holliday, Philip May, J. W. Sullivan, James 
Jones, J. Tarkington, Ancil Beach, Jonas L. Belotte, 
Isaac Crawford, William McGinnis, Amos Bussy, E. L. 
Kemp, J. H. Bruce, J. B. Neishon, A. Robinson, Isaac 
Kelso, George M. Boyd, Jacob Colclazin, Samuel S. 
Gillet, John B. Burt, John Edwards, Jacob Myers, 
Francis Carey, Emmons Rutledge, John Kizer, George 
W. Bowers, Wade Posey, William Shanks, Greenbury 
C. Beeks, Charles Bonner. 

On motion, Resolved, that conference proceed to 
elect a secretary by ballot, and on counting the votes, 
Edward R. Ames having received a majority of all the 
votes given, was declared duly elected. On motion, 
Resolved, that conference proceed to elect an assistant 
secretary, and on the second ballot, Ebenezer Patrick, 
having received a majority of the votes given, was de- 
clared duly elected. On motion, conference proceeded 
to elect a president pro tern, and on the third ballot, 
Calvin W. Ruter, having received a majority of all the 
votes given, was declared duly elected, and after hav- 
ing made a few appropriate remarks, took the chair, 
and conference proceeded to business. 

On motion, it was resolved that conference will 
meet at half past eight in the morning, and adjourn 
at twelve o'clock noon. Conference then proceeded to 
elect three stewards by ballot, and Samuel C. Cooper, 
William Shanks and John Daniels having received a 
plurality of votes, were declared duly elected. On 
motion, it was resolved that a committee of three be 
appointed to appoint the preachers to officiate in the 
different churches during the session of the confer- 
ence, and also to superintend the congregations, and 
Augustus Eddy, Allen Wiley and John A. Brouse were 
appointed that committee. On motion, it was resolved 
that a book committee of three be appointed and Wil- 
liam V. Daniels, Charles M. Holliday and Samuel T. 



224 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Giliet were appointed that committee. On motion, it 
was resolved that the by-laws of the former session be 
adopted for the government of the conference, during 
its present session, and having been read, they were 
adopted without amendment. On motion, a committee 
of three to be denominated the committee on finance, 
was appointed, whose duty it shall be to take into con- 
sideration the best method of raising funds on the cir- 
cuits and in the stations, for the support of the preach- 
ers, and James Jones, Lewis Hurlbott and Zachariah 
Games were appointed that committee. On motion, 
conference adjourned. 

Thursday, at half past eight o'clock a. m., confer- 
ence met pursuant to adjournment. Bishop Soule, 
having arrived, took the chair and opened the confer- 
ence by reading a portion of the sacred Scripture, sing- 
ing and prayer; the list was called, the journals read 
and approved, and conference proceeded to business, 
Bishop Soule in the chair. On motion, it was resolved 
that the secretary be authorized to purchase a suitable 
book in which to transcribe all the proceedings of the 
Indiana annual conference, from its commencement, 
and to be used by the conference in the future. Bishop 
Soule presented a letter from the book agents, G. 
Mason and G. Lane, giving an exhibit of the Methodist 
Book Concern, January 1, 1840, which was read and 
filed among the papers of the conference, also an ac- 
count against the preachers of the conference which 
was referred to the appropriate committee. A com- 
munication from Bishop B. Waugh was read trans- 
ferring William M. Daily from the Missouri to the In- 
diana conference; also a communication from Brother 
Daily, which was also read and filed. The stewards 
called upon the members of the conference for an ex- 
hibit of their claims and receipts, and the amounts of 
the conference collections. The conference voted to 
draw on the book concern for six hundred dollars and 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 225 



also to draw on the chartered fund for seventy-five 
dollars. A communication from J. Bockman, chairman 
of the board of stewards of the Michigan conference, 
stating that their claim on the funds of this conference 
for the benefit of those preachers who were struck off 
together with the Michigan district to that conference, 
by the action of the late General Conference, amounts 
to $41.80, and on motion, the stewards were authorized 
to pay over the amount. On motion, it was resolved 
that in compliance with the recommendation of the late 
General Conference, we will sit with closed doors dur- 
ing the examination of character. Conference took up 
the consideration of the second question on the minutes, 
viz: Who remain on trial? And the characters of 
Peter R. Guthrie, Thomas J. Boyle, George W. Walker, 
George W. Ames, Edward Oldham, Washington Malick, 
Joseph Carter, Draper Chipman, Hayden Hays, Samuel 
H. Roclgers, James R. Williams, John V. R. Miller, John 
F. Truslow, Sealdes Forbes, Resetter C. Rowley, were 
severally examined, passed, and they continued on 
trial. Robert Currain was discontinued at his re- 
quest. Elkanah F. Remington was discontinued. On 
motion, it was resolved that when conference adjourns, 
it adjourn to meet at two o'clock p. m., and that the 
afternoon session be exclusively devoted to examination 
of character. On motion, John Cowgill was discon- 
tinued. The character of George W. Baker, Stephen 
Ravinscroft, William Bratton, Walter L. Huffman, 
Wesley Dorsey, John S. Donaldson, Barden H. Brad- 
bury, Joseph Okerman, Samuel Reed, Enoch Holstock, 
were severally examined, passed and they continued on 
trial. When conference adjourned. 

At two o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant to 
adjournment and was opened by C. W. Ruter, by read- 
ing a portion of Scripture, singing and prayer : the list 
being called, the journals read, and approved, confer- 
ence proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair. 

(15) 



226 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Conference took up the consideration of the fourth 
question on the minutes, viz: Who are the deacons? 
And the character of Samuel T. Gillet, John B. Burt, 
John Edwards, Jacob Myers, Jacob Miller, Wm. J. 
Forbes, Francis H. Carey, Emmons Rutledge, John 
Keiger, George W. Bowers, Alexander L. Miller, Silas 
Rawson, William Knowles, John W. Weekly, Hauley B. 
Beers, Wade Posey, were severally examined, and 
passed. Conference took up the consideration of the 
fifth question on the minutes, viz: Who are eligible 
to elder's orders? And the characters of Isaac Craw- 
ford, Miltiodes Miller, William McGinnis, Amos Bus- 
scy, William H. Goode, Ezra L. Kemp, John H. Bruce, 
William M. Fraley, Jared B. Mershow, Anthony Rob- 
inson, George M. Boyd, Jacob Colclazer and William B. 
Rop, were severally examined, approved and passed, 
and elected to elder's orders, and William B. Rop, 
through his presiding elder, asked and obtained a 
location. Isaac Kelso was not elected to elder's orders, 
but his character passed. 

The conference then took up the examination of the 
character of elders, whereupon, the character of Calvin 
W. Ruter, Enoch Wood, Augustus Eddy, John Miller, 
Thomas J. Brown, Edward R. Ames, Henry S. Talbott, 
James Havens, Robert Burns, George M. Beswick and 
Aaron Woode were severally examined and passed. 
On motion, conference adjourned. 

Friday, at half past eight o'clock a. m., conference 
met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened by Rev' 
James Jones, by reading a portion of the Scripture, 
singing and prayer, the list being called, the journals 
read and approved, conference proceeded to business, 
Bishop Soule in the chair. The stewards spent some 
time in attending to their business. The conference 
instructed the stewards to meet the claim of John H. 
Worthing, who was received on trial in this conference 
at its last session, but who in consequence of an omis- 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 227 



sion on the part of the superintendent was not ap- 
pointed to any work, and who died about the middle of 
the conference year. Conference proceeded in the ex- 
amination of the characters of elders. And the char- 
acters of F. C. Holliday, H. S. Dane, C. B. Jones, W. W. 
Hibben, L. Hurlbutt, C. Bonner, J. C. Smith, J. C. 
Harbin, J. A. Brouse, T. S. Gunn, B. T. Griffith, W. V. 
Daniel, Isaac Owen, A. Wiley, M. Huffacer, R. Har- 
grave, F. H. Richmond, S. S. Williams, J. S. Harrison, 
J. Daniel, J. Kearns, J. McElroy, Thomas Ray, Joseph 
White, J. L. Thompson, A. D. Beasley, R. S. Robinson, 
D. Demott, Enoch Wood, J. S. Bayless, H. Vreden- 
burgh, William H. Smith, Amasa Johnson, E. Patrick, 
C. Swank, T. Bartlett, S. C. Cooper, C. M. Holliday, P. 
May, G. H. Hester, T. F. Spilman, J. Tarkington, B. 
Westlake, A. Beach, J. S. Ballote, D. Stiver, L. Games, 
W. Griffith, J. W. Sullivan, J. Scott, J. Jones, E. Whit- 
ton, J. Richie, W. Shanks, Asa Beck, G. C. Beeks, W. 
M. Daily, M. Simpson, J. M. Stallard, were severally 
examined and passed. Sanford S. Williams, James L. 
Thompson, Hezikiah Vredenburgh, Burrows Westlake, 
Daniel Stiver and William M. Daily, through their 
representatives asked and received superannuated rela- 
tions. J. Richie, William Shanks, A. Beck, were con- 
tinued in their superannuated relation to this confer- 
ence. G. C. Beeks asked to have his relation changed 
from superannuated to effective, which was granted. 
Bishop Soule informed the conference that he received 
official information from Bishop Morris that he had 
transferred Joseph Marsu, an elder from the Kentucky 
annual conference, to this conference, and directed his 
name to be entered upon the list. The following pre- 
amble and resolution were offered : Whereas, the mar- 
riage and separation of Brother Daniel Stiver and his 
wife has been very unfortunate, and, whereas she has 
persisted for years in her refusal to live with him, the 
church is unwilling to recognize her as a claimant for 



228 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 

support as his wife. Therefore, Resolved, by the In- 
diana annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, that we advise Brother Stiver to proceed im- 
mediately to take such steps as will effect a dissolution 
of his obligations to her. 1 (Signed) Aaron Woode, G. 
M. Beswick. On motion, this subject was referred to a 
select committee of three and Matthew Simpson, Wil- 
liam M. Goode and Charles Bonner were appointed that 
committee. Resolved, that when conference adjourns 
it will adjourn to meet again at two o'clock p. m. Con- 
ference then took up the consideration of the first ques- 
tion on the minutes, viz: Who are received on trial? 
And Philip J. Beswick, recommended from the Charles- 
ton district; Charles B. Davidson, recommended from 
the Indianapolis district ; Daniel S. Elder, recommended 
from the Vincennes district, were admitted. Isaac 
Merrill, recommended from the Crawfordsville district, 
was not admitted. Whereupon conference adjourned. 

At two o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant to 
adjournment and opened by Rev. James Havens by 
reading a portion of the Scripture, singing and prayer, 
the list was called, the journals read and approved and 
conference proceeded to business. Bishop Soule, in the 
chair, took up the third question on the minutes, viz : 
Who are admitted into full connection? And the can- 
didates having been called forward, were in a most 
solemn and impressive manner admonished by Bishop 
Soule, and questioned as the discipline directs. After 
which the committee on examination having reported, 
the characters of Seth Smith, John Talbott, John L. 
Kelly, Lucian W. Berry, Cyrus Nutt, George W. Staf- 
ford, F. A. Conwell, James Hill, J. H. Hull, George 
Havens, J. J. Cooper, James Crawford, J. S. Barwick, 

1 The widow of a traveling, superannuated, or supernumerary- 
preacher was allowed one hundred dollars per year. The single 
preachers were allowed one hundred dollars each. Married 
preachers received an allowance of two hundred dollars. (Meth- 
odist Discipline, 1840, pp. 169, 170.) 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 229 



were severally examined and passed and admitted and 
they were elected to deacon's orders, except L. W. Berry 
and J. J. Cooper, who, having been previously ordained, 
and being eligible, were elected to elder's orders. Wm. 
F. Wheeler, Elza Vanschoiack, Sandy Havens were 
continued on trial, to give them further time to make 
themselves acquainted with the studies required by con- 
ference. Hezekiah Smith was discontinued at his own 
request. William Wilson, William Campbell, Daniel 
F. Stright, Samuel K. Young were continued on trial. 
L. L. Allen was discontinued at his own request, in 
consequence of affliction. Henry Beharrall was dis- 
continued at his own request. On motion, conference 
adjourned. 

On Saturday morning, at half past eight o'clock, 
conference met pursuant to adjournment, and was 
opened by Rev. William Shanks, by reading a portion 
of Scripture, singing and prayer. The list was called 
and journals read and approved. Conference pro- 
ceeded to business with Bishop Soule in the chair. On 
motion, the vote by which William Campbell was con- 
tinued on trial was reconsidered, and he was discon- 
tinued at his own request, in consequence of ill health. 
On motion, the presiding elder, in whose district Isaac 
Merrill may reside, has leave to employ him, should he 
deem it necessary. Rev. John F. Wright, principal of 
the Western Book Concern, spent some time in making 
a verbal statement respecting the condition of the con- 
cern, and the necessity of prompt payment on the part 
of its debtors. Conference took up the consideration 
of local preachers, recommended to deacon's orders. 
Abner Keen, recommended from the Charleston dis- 
trict; Richard Hicks, Peter Hudson, Frederick 
Long, recommended from the Crawfordsville district; 
Edward White and Ezekial Johnson, recommended 
from the Connersville district; David Semons, recom- 
mended from Richmond district; Eli Rogers and John 



230 CIRCUIT-RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 



F. Truston, recommended from Logansport district; 
George Rumsey and Austin Fuller, recommended from 
South Bend district, and William D. Cox, from the 
Madison district, and John W. Holland, recommended 
from the Indianapolis district, were elected to deacon's 
orders. William Falkner, from Indianapolis district, 
and Mark Bruffer from Greencastle district, were not 
elected. A motion made to sit with closed doors on the 
examination and election of elders, was lost. The con- 
ference took up the consideration of local deacons, 
recommended to elder's orders, and Thomas Harget 
and John Kisling, local deacons, recommended from 
Madison district, were severally examined and elected 
to elder's orders. Samuel Barett, from Indianapolis 
district, having certified his belief and adherence to 
the doctrines and discipline of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, was elected. Townsend Truslow was recom- 
mended from Indianapolis district, but on motion, his 
case was laid over. William Rector, recommended from 
Vincennes district, having certified to his belief in the 
doctrines and his adherence to the discipline of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church was elected. Elam 
Genung, recommended from the Greencastle district, 
was examined and elected. Williamson Terril, recom- 
mended from the Bloomington district, was examined 
and elected. Thomas B. Connelly, recommended from 
the South Bend district, was not elected. Gehial H. 
Hard, from South Bend district, was elected. Town- 
send Truslow, having requested his representative to 
withdraw his recommendation, the conference gave per- 
mission to do so. Henry Brenton, recommended from 
the Indianapolis district, having been examined, gave 
assurance of his belief in the doctrines and his adher- 
ence to the discipline of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, was elected to elder's orders. John A. Decker, 
from Vincennes district, was readmitted. 

Conference resumed the consideration of the first 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 231 



question on the minutes, viz: Who are admitted on 
trial? John B. Demotte, recommended from the Craw- 
fordsville district, was admitted. Elam Genung, 
recommended from Greencastle district, was admitted. 
Absalom Paris, recommended from Connersville dis- 
trict, was not received, but on motion, the presiding 
elder in whose district he may reside, has leave to em- 
ploy him should he deem it expedient. Asbury Wilkin- 
son, recommended from the Connersville district, was 
admitted. John L. Smith, recommended from the 
Richmond district, was admitted. James Black, recom- 
mended from Logansport district, was not admitted, 
but on motion the presiding elder, in whose district he 
may reside, shall have liberty to employ him, should he 
deem it necessary. 

On Monday, half past eight o'clock a. m., conference 
met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened by Rev. 
A. Eddy, by reading a portion of the Scripture, singing 
and prayer. The list being called, the journals read 
and corrected, conference preceeded to business, Bishop 
Soule in the chair. On motion, conference resolved to 
attend the anniversary of the Preachers' Aid Society 
in the M. E. Church tomorrow at two o'clock. On 
motion, a committee of three was appointed, consisting 
of Henry S. Talbott, Allen Wiley and William Shanks, 
to estimate the table expenses of Bishop Roberts. Con- 
ference resumed the consideration of the first question 
on the minutes, viz : Who are admitted to trial ? Col- 
breth Hall, recommended from Logansport district, 
was admitted. Charles W. Miller, recommended from 
South Bend district, was admitted. Morris Benton, 
recommended from Bloomington district, and Daniel 
McAntire, from Madison district, were admitted. 
George W. Shively, recommended from Charleston dis- 
trict, was not admitted, but on motion, the presiding 
elder in whose district he may reside, has liberty to em- 
ploy him, if he deems it necessary. Nathan S. Worden, 



232 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



recommended from Charleston district, was admitted. 
John W. Meilander, recommended from Indianapolis 
district, was admitted. Freeman F. Sheldon, recom- 
mended from Vincennes district, was admitted. Robert 
H. Calvert, recommended from Crawfordsville, was 
admitted. Thomas Goodwin, recommended from 
Greencastle district, was admitted. John C. Crouch, 
recommended from Connersville district, was not ad- 
mitted, but on motion, the presiding elder in whose 
district he may reside may, if necessary, employ him. 
Manlove Reid, recommended from Connersville dis- 
trict, was not admitted. On motion, the presiding 
eider in whose district John C. Crouch may reside, can, 
if he thinks expedient, employ him. Brenton Webster, 
recommended from Richmond district, was admitted. 
Samuel Smith, recommended from Logansport district, 
was admitted. Isaac M. Stagg, recommended from 
South Bend district, was admitted. W. D. Cox, recom- 
mended from Madison district, was not admitted. Wm. 
C. Smith, recommended from Indianapolis district, was 
admitted. Allen Skillman, recommended from Logans- 
port district, was admitted. Solomon B. Knapp, recom- 
mended from South Bend district, was not admitted, 
but on motion, the presiding elder, in whose district he 
may reside, has leave to employ him, should he deem it 
expedient. On motion of Rev. Allen Wiley it was re- 
solved that Alexander L. Miller be located in conse- 
quence of having absented himself from the state with- 
out giving the conference any information as to his 
intention of returning. F. M. Richmond, through his 
presiding elder, asked and obtained a location. James 
Scott, through his presiding elder, asked and obtained 
a superannuated relation to this conference. Asa Beck 
asked to have his relation changed from superannuated 
to supernumery, and a motion was made to reconsider 
the vote by which Brother Beck was continued in his 
superannuated relation, which was lost. The Bishop 



CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 233 



was called on to decide whether a supernuxnery preach- 
er has his full claim on the circuit where he labors, ir- 
respective of the service rendered by him ? The Bishop 
decided that is not the present usage of the church to 
allow the full claim where full service has not be ren- 
dered. Resolved, that a committee of three be ap- 
pointed to report on the benevolent operations of the 
Church in Indiana, and also to make such suggestions 
as in their opinion may be calculated, when adopted, to 
promote increased action in our various benevolent 
enterprises. On motion, conference adjourned. 

Tuesday, at half past eight o'clock a. m., conference 
met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened by Rev. 
A. Wiley by reading of Scripture, singing and prayer. 
The list was called, the journals read and approved, 
and conference proceeded with business, Bishop Soule 
in the chair. The secretary presented the book which 
he was directed to purchase for the records of the con- 
ference, which was received and paid for by the mem- 
bers of the conference. Brother George Havens, 
through his presiding elder, asked and received a loca- 
tion. Brother John A. Brouse, through his presiding el- 
der, asked to have his relation changed from effective to 
superannuated, and his request was granted. The 
stewards then made their report, showing the total 
amount of claims of the members of the conference to 
be $30,645.20. Amounts received $21,818.38, leaving 
a deficit of $8,826.82. To meet which they have from 
fifth 2 collections $173.81, from book corncern $600.00, 
from chartered fund $73.00, from conference collec- 
tion $39.40, which enabled the stewards to declare a 
dividend of 3 44%% on deficits. The report was adopted 

2 The fifth collection was so called to distinguish it from the 
regular four quarterly collections taken to support the active min- 
istry. The fund went to the superannuated ministry. (See West- 
ern Christian Advocate. July 19. 1844, p. 55.) 

3 There seems to be an error here in figuring out the per cent. 



234 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



and the funds distributed to the claimants. There 
being a surplus of $4.40 and a gold watch seal, the 
stewards were directed to present the same to Brother 
Vredenburgh. The stewards also report $1.32, which 
came into their hands after the formation of the re- 
port, which sum was voted into the hands of Brother 
J. Myers. The numbers in society were then taken and 
it was found that there has been an increase of 7,116 
members during the past year. Conference then re- 
sumed the consideration of the first question on the 
minutes, viz: Who are admitted on trial? Whereupon 
John Kisling, recommended from the Madison district, 
was admitted. Martin J. Hofer, recommended from 
Madison district, was admitted. Eli C. Jones, recom- 
mended from Vincennes district, was admitted. On 
motion, the presiding elders in whose districts Wm. D. 
Cox and Manlove Reid may reside, shall have leave to 
employ them if expedient. Resolved, that it shall be 
the duty of those preachers in whose bounds superan- 
nuated preachers or widows, or orphans of preachers 
may reside to make special inquiry, concerning their 
circumstances, and, if orphans, whether they are re- 
ceiving a proper education? And report the same to 
the next conference. A communication signed by H. 
P. DeBruler, complaining that injustice had been done 
him by the quarterly conference of the Princeton cir- 
cuit, was received. The communication was, on mo- 
tion, referred to a committee of three, who shall have 
power to examine persons and papers, and report to 
this conference before the close of this session. Samuel 
C. Cooper, Enoch G. Wood and R. S. Robinson were 
appointed that committee. On motion, conference ad- 
journed. 

Wednesday, at half past eight o'clock a. m., confer- 
ence met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened 

If there were no other funds received than here enumerated the 
dividend declared was a little over 10 per cent. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



235 



by Rev. Samuel C. Cooper by reading a portion of the 
Scripture, singing and prayer. The list was called, the 
journals read and approved, and the conference pro- 
ceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair. The 
mission committee presented their report showing an 
appropriation for the support of missions, within the 
bounds of the conference, amounting to $905.00 for the 
current year. The report was concurred in by Bishop 
Soule. The book committee presented their report, 
which was adopted. The committee to whom was 
referred the case of Brother DeBruler report that in 
their opinion the said DeBruler had no right to appeal 
to this body. The report was adopted. The financial 
committee reports the following resolution : "Resolved, 
that the principle laid down in the report of the 
financial committee of last year is the only one which 
can prove just and give general satisfaction." The 
report was adopted. The stewards reported that they 
were authorized to draw on the Preachers Aid Society 
of the Indiana annual conference for $409.69, which 
was distributed as follows : 



To II. Vredenburgh $100.00 

To R. Hargrave 40.00 

To J. Richie 50.00 

To Miles Haffaker 29.69 

To Wm. H. Smith 100.00 

To C. Bonner 40.00 

To J. L. Thompson 50.00 



The above report was adopted. The committee to 
estimate the table expenses of Bishop Roberts reported 
the sum of $400.00, which was adopted. The commit- 
tee appointed at the last conference to have the moneys 
and donations for centenary purposes recorded in a 
proper book, reported that they have attended to the 
business assigned them, which book cost $4.38. J. 
Soule presented his account for recording the names 



236 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



of the donors, and it was resolved that he be paid out 
of moneys which may have been or shall be collected 
for centenary purposes. The first annual report of 
the joint Board of Trustees and Visitors of the Indiana 
Asbury University was presented and accepted, and 
ordered to be printed in the Western Christian Advo- 
cate. The following preamble and resolutions were 
unanimously adopted: Whereas, Divine Providence 
has greatly prospered the Indiana annual conference, 
in her endeavors to establish a valuable institution of 
learning, and, whereas, said institution is greatly in 
need of a valuable library, chemical and philosophical 
apparatus, commensurate with her high destiny, and, 
whereas, it will need $20,000 to procure such library 
and apparatus, and whereas, Bishop Soule expects to 
visit Europe in 1842, and he would be a suitable agent 
to aid in the purchasing of such part thereof as it will 
be necessary to purchase in Europe, therefore, be it re- 
solved, that relying on Divine Providence, we mutually 
pledge ourselves to use our best endeavors to raise the 
said sum of $20,000 before Bishop Soule sails for 
Europe. (Signed) Allen Wiley, C. W. Ruter. Re- 
solved, that each preacher in the Indiana conference be 
requested to exert his influence to procure annually 
one or more suitable students for the Asbury Univer- 
sity. (Signed) S. C. Cooper, Allen Wiley. Resolved, 
that the twenty-fifth day of December next, be set 
apart to be observed as a day of thanksgiving and 
praise to Almighty God for the mercies of the past 
year, especially for the unexampled increase in the 
membership of the church, and that we will recom- 
mend all our people to make on that occasion a mis- 
sionary thank-offering. A. Eddy, W. W. Hibben. The 
committee, to whom was referred the peculiar situation 
of Brother Stiver, reports that it is inexpedient for 
this conference to give any advice in the case, in which 
report the conference concur. The agent for the uni- 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 237 



versity reported, that since the 25th day of September, 
1839, he has added to the funds of the institution 
$6,702.25, and that the whole amount of cash and 
property passed through his hands since the same date 
is $18,896.40. On motion, conference adjourned, to 
meet again at two o'clock p. m. N. B. The following 
resolution passed in the forenoon was omitted: Re- 
solved, that each preacher be required as early as con- 
venient in the ensuing year to furnish his presiding 
elder with a list of all the postoffices in the bounds of 
his work, and that each presiding elder furnish the 
book agents at New York with said list. William V. 
Daniel, S. T. Gillett. 

Two o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant to ad- 
journment and was opened in the usual manner by 
Rev. E. G. Wood, Bishop Soule in the chair. A com- 
munication was received from the Indianapolis Branch 
Bible Society in relation to the claims of the Bible 
cause and the necessity of patronizing it. On motion, 
resolved, that we approve of the resolution presented 
by the Bible Society of Indianapolis, and that we will 
carry it into effect as far as our peculiar economy will 
permit. 

On motion, conference proceeded to elect nine visit- 
ors to the Indiana Asbury University, for the present 
year, and a committee of the three was appointed to re- 
tire to another room and count the votes, it was ascer- 
tained that A. Wiley received seventy-three votes, W. H. 
Goode sixty-nine, A. Eddy sixty-six, C. W. Ruter sixty- 
four, E. R. Ames fifty-five, S. C. Cooper forty-seven 
and A. Wood thirty-five, J. L. Belotte thirty-four, J. C. 
Smith thirty and these brethren were announced by 
the president as being duly elected. Conference then 
proceeded to fix by ballot, the place of the next annual 
session, and Terre Haute was chosen as the place, and 
the time appointed by the Bishop, is October 20, 1841. 
On motion, resolved, that a vote of thanks be tendered 



238 CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 



to the citizens of Indianapolis for their kind hospitality 
shown toward the preachers during their present ses- 
sion, and that it be announced in the public congrega- 
tion by the preacher who may fill the pulpit in this 
charge on next Sabbath. Resolved, that a vote of 
thanks be tendered by this conference to the several 
pastors and congregations who have kindly tendered 
their respective churches for the occupancy of the min- 
isters of this body. Resolved, that the examination at 
the close of the first year of such as have one year on 
trial be dispensed with and that the granduates be ex- 
amined on the full course, recommended at the close of 
the second year. For the purpose of infusing more en- 
ergy and producing greater unanimity of action in our 
benevolent and literary enterprises : It is ordered by 
the Indiana annual conference that two general annual 
collections be made in all our congregations. The first 
to be made during the months of December, January 
and February for the support of missions. The second 
to be made during the months of April, May and June, 
for the aid of our university. The fund to be applied 
under the direction of the conference, to the purchase 
of a library, chemical and philosophical apparatus. It 
is also directed by the conference that each presiding 
elder preach a special sermon on each of these subjects 
annually in each station, and circuit in his district, and 
that he also see that each preacher make collections as 
above specified. It is recommended to the preachers as 
the best method of collecting funds, not to depend on 
public collections alone, but in their pastoral visits to 
bring the subject before the members and friends of 
the church, individually. That by this means the entire 
strength of the church may be concentrated upon the 
great object we desire to accomplish, viz : the religious 
and intellectual improvement of the whole community. 
Resolved, that the book containing the record of dona- 
tions to the centenary fund be placed in the hands of 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 239 



President Simpson to be laid up in the archives of the 
Indiana Asbury University. Resolved, that the second 
Friday in January be observed as a day of fasting and 
prayer for the prosperity of Zion generally and espe- 
cially for the revival of the work of God in the bounds 
of this conference. The bishop then proceeded to close 
the conference by an appropriate farewell address and 
by singing the hymn, commencing with the words: 
"And Let Our Bodies Part," and by prayer. The 
Bishop then read out the appointments for the ensuing 
year. 

(Signed) JOSHUA SOULE. 
E. R. Ames, Secretary. 

APPOINTMENTS FOR 1840. 

Madison District. 

Calvin W. Ruter, Presiding Elder. 
Madison Station — Joseph Marsee. 
Canaan — Constant B. Jones. 
Yevay— James Jones, Daniel Mclntire. 
Rising Sun — Samuel T. Gillet, Thomas Goodwin. 
Lawrenceburg — John C. Smith. 
Wilmington — Francis H. Cary, Washington Mulick. 
Manchester — Richard Hargrave, George W. Baker. 
Versailles — Seth Smith, Jesse C. Harbin. 
Paris— -Amos Bussey, Hayden Hays. 
Indiana German Mission — John Kisling, M. J. 
Hofer. 

Charlestotvn District. 

Enoch G. Wood, Presiding Elder. 

New Albany — William V. Daniel. 

Corydon — Thomas S. Gunn, Edward Oldham. 

Greenville — George K. Hester, Nathan S. Worden. 

Salem — Emmons Rutledge, G, W. Ames. 

Charleston — Charles Bonner, Thomas J. Doyle. 

Lexington — J. Crawford, Peter R. Guthrie. 



240 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Jeffersonville Station — Fernandes C. Hblliday. 
Rome — Eli C. Jones. 

Indianapolis District. 

James Havens, Presiding Elder. 

Indianapolis Station — William H. Goode. 

Noblesville — Isaac Crawford, Freeman F. Sheldon. 

Mooresville — James Hill, J. S. Bar wick. 

Franklin— Wm. T. Smith, Jacob Myers. 

Shelby ville— Henry S. Dane, John V. R. Miller. 

Rushville — George W. Bowers. 

Knightstown — Lucien W. Berry. 

Greenfield — John B. Birt, John W. Mellander. 

Pipe Creek— John L. Kelly. 

Vincennes District. 

Henry S. Talbott, Presiding Elder. 

Evansville — Anthony Robinson. 

Mount Vernon — Thomas Ray, Daniel S. Elder. 

Princeton — John Daniel. 

Newburg — John A. Decker. 

Rockport — William Knowles. 

Vincennes — John Kerns. 

Washington — Stephen Ravenscroft. 

Carlisle — Isaac McElroy. 

Lebanon — Samuel H. Rogers. 

Knox — William Bratton. 

Crawfordsville District. 

Thomas J. Brown, Presiding Elder. 

Lafayette — Amasa Johnson. 

Dayton — William Wilson. 

Frankfort — Ancil Beach, John B. Demott. 

Covington — Enoch Wood, Jared B. Mershon. 

Newtown — Allen D. Beasley, R. H. Culvert. 

Crawfordsville Station — Ebenezer Patrick. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



241 



Crawfordsville Circuit — Daniel Demott, Wesley 
Dorsey. 

Danville — Thomas Bartlett. 
Augusta — Miles Huffaker. 
Alamo — John Edwards. 

Greencastle District. 

Allen Wiley, Presiding Elder. 
Greencastle Station — Hawley B. Beers. 
Greencastle Circuit — Isaac Owen, Jacob Miller. 
Putnamville — Jonas L. Belotte. 
Rushville — Elam Genung. 
Rockville — Silas Rawson. 
Terre Haute Station — John S. Bayless. 
Terre Haute Circuit — Cornelius Swank, Ezra L. 
Kemp. 

Newport — William H. Smith, Resetter C. Rowley. 

Indiana Asbury University — Matthew Simpson, 
President; Cyrus Nutt, Professor; Samuel C. Cooper, 
Agent. 

Bloomington District. 

John Miller, Presiding Elder. 

Bloomington Station — Philip May. 

Springville — John Talbott. 

Bedford — Charles M. Holliday. 

Brownstown — William Meginnes. 

Columbus — Benjamin T. Griffith, Lealdas Forbes. 

Spencer — Jacob M. Stallard. 

Paoli — Draper Chipman, Morris Benton. 

Brown Mission — Thomas Spilman. 

Richland Mission — James R. Williams. 

Leesville — George W. Walker. 

Conner sville District. 
Augustus Eddy, Presiding Elder. 

(16) 



242 CIRCUIT-RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 



Connersville Circuit — Elijah Whitten, Asbury Wil- 
kinson. 

Centerville— Miltiades Miller, Landy Havens. 
Richmond — Joseph Tarkington. 
Liberty — John Keiger. 

Brookville — William W. Hibben, Charles B. David- 
son. 

Greensburg — G. C. Beeks. 

Milroy — Lewis Hurlbert, Isaac Kelso. 

Scipio — Lemuel L. Reeves. 

Winchester District. 

Robert Burns, Presiding Elder. 

Winchester — John H. Bruce, J. L. Smith. 

Portland — Barden H. Bradbury. 

Munceytown — John S. Donaldson, Brinton Webster. 

Marion — John H. Hull. 

Andersontown — Daniel F. Stright. 

Pendleton — John W. Sullivan. 

Bluffton — Joseph Ockerman. 

Newcastle — Joseph Carter. 

Logansport District. 

George M. Beswick, Presiding Elder. 

Logansport Circuit— Richard S. Robinson. 

Peru — John F. Truslow. 

Auburn — Samuel Smith. 

Fort Wayne — Francis A. Conwell. 

Delphi — Joseph White, Philip J. Beswick. 

Independence — Joseph J. Cooper, Colbreth Hall. 

Monticello — Jacob Colclazer, Samuel Reed. 

Iroquois, Walter L. Huffman. 

Rochester — George W. Stafford. 

South Bend District. 
Aaron Wood, Presiding Elder. 



CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 243 



South Bend Station — William M. Fraley. 

Mishawaka — Warren Griffith. 

Goshen — Wade Posey, Allen Skillman. 

Lagrange — Enoch Holdstock, Charles W. Miller. 

Haw Patch — Ezra Van Schoiack. 

Laporte — Zachariah Games, William F. Wheeler. 

Valparaiso — William J. Forbes. 

Warsaw — Samuel K. Young. 

Plymouth — Isaac M. Stagg. 

Terrecoupee — George M. Boyd. 

Edward R. Ames, secretary of the Missionary So- 
ciety of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

James S. Harrison, transferred to Michigan confer- 
ence. 

John W. Weakley, transferred to Ohio conference. 

JOURNAL of the tenth annual session of the In- 
diana Conference, held in the Methodist church in Terre 
Haute, October 6, 1841. 

Wednesday morning, 9 o'clock. Conference met ac- 
cording to appointment, and was opened by Bishop 
Roberts, by reading the second chapter of the second 
Epistle of Timothy, and by singing and prayer. The 
list was then called by Brother Patrick, the assistant 
secretary of last conference, and the following mem- 
bers were found to be present, viz. : C. W. Ruter, E. G. 
Wood, James Havens, C. S. Talbott, T. J. Brown, Al- 
len Wiley, John Miller, Augustus Eddy, Robert Burns, 
G. M. Beswick, Aaron Wood, Joseph Marsee, Thomas 
Bartlett, C. B. Jones, James Jones, J. C. Smith, W. V. 
Daniel, Charles Bonner, F. C. Holliday, W. H. Goode, 
Isaac Crawford, H. L. Dane, John Kiger, W. J. Forbes, 
William Knowles, L. W. Berry, Anthony Robinson, 
Thomas Ray, John Daniel, John Kearns, Isaac McEl- 
roy, Amasa Johnson, A. Beach, Enock Wood, Ebenezer 
Patrick, Daniel DeMotte, Thomas Bartlett, Isaac 
Owen, J. L. Belotte, J. S. Bayless, Cornelius Swank, 



244 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



E. L. Kemp, M. Simpson, C. Nutt, S. C. Cooper, C. M. 
Holliday, J. B. Birt, Emmons Rutledge, G. M. Boyd, 
Philip May, William McGinnis, W. W. Hibben, G. C. 
Beeks, Lewis Hurlbert, L. L. Reeves, J. H. Bruce, J. W. 
Sullivan, R. L. Robinson, Joseph White, Jacob Col- 
clazer, Zachaniah Games, David Stiver, William M. 
Daily, J. A. Brouse, H. Vredenburgh, Borroughs West- 
lake, S. P. Gillett, John Edwards Jacob Miller, Francis 
H. Cary, Jacob Myers, G. W. Bowers. 

The conference then proceeded to elect a secretary 
by ballot, and upon counting the votes Matthew Simp- 
son, having received a majority of all the votes, was 
declared duly elected, and on motion of Brother Ruter, 
Ebenezer Patrick was appointed assistant secretary. 

On motion of Brother Cooper the aisle was fixed 
upon as the bar within which all the members were 
expected to sit. On motion of Brother Wiley the hour 
of assembling in the morning was fixed at eight o'clock, 
and of adjournment at twelve. 

On motion of Brother Ruter, Allen Wiley and J. 
S. Bayless were appointed a committee to select the 
preachers and superintend the religious services dur- 
ing the conference, and on suggestion of Brother Wiley, 
John Daniel was added to said committee. 

The conference then proceeded to the election of 
stewards and, upon motion of Brother Ruter, it was 
resolved that the election should be by a plurality of 
votes, whereupon, on counting the votes, S. C. Cooper, 
J. A. Brouse and Cyrus Nutt having the highest num- 
ber of votes, were declared duly elected, but the con- 
ference having released Brother Cooper at his own re- 
quest, William V. Daniel being the next highest was 
appointed in his place. 

On motion of Brother Wiley, the conference pro- 
ceeded to elect a committee of three to disburse the 
funds received from the Preachers' Aid Society, in ac- 
cordance with a provision in the constitution of said 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 245 



society, and on motion of Brother E. G. Wood the 
choice was determined by a plurality of votes, where- 
upon Allen Wiley, J. C. Smith and James Havens were 
declared duly elected. 

On motion of Brother Ruter, the by-laws adopted 
at the first session were read and after having added to 
them the resolution adopted at the Lawrenceburgh con- 
ference, in reference to sitting with closed doors dur- 
ing examination of character, they were adopted as 
the rules of this conference. 

On motion of Brother Cooper a committee was ap- 
pointed to examine the journals, as transcribed by or- 
der of last conference, and Isaac Crawford, L. W. 
Berry and S. T. Gillett were appointed said committee. 

On motion of Brother Wiley, F. C. Holliday, George 
Bowers and W. W. Hibben were appointed a commit- 
tee on the Eastern Book Concern, and thereupon the 
Bishop presented a letter and exhibit from the book 
agents at New York, which was read and filed among 
the papers of the conference, and the accounts were re- 
ferred to the committee. 

John C. Smith, Lucian W. Berry and Samuel T. 
Gillet were appointed a committee to prepare memoirs 
of our brethren who have died during the year. 

On motion it was resolved that S. C. Cooper be a 
committee to receive any moneys that may have been 
collected for apparatus and library of the university 
according to a resolution of last session. 

On motion of Brother A. Wood it was resolved that 
when conference adjourns it will adjourn to meet at 
2 o'clock p. m. 

The second question on the minutes was then taken 
up, viz. : Who remain on trial ? And the characters of 
Philip Beswick, Daniel S. Elder, Elam Jenung, John 
L. Smith, Charles W. Miller, Daniel Mclntire, John 
M. Millander, Robert H. Colvert, Button Webster, 
Isaac M. Stagg, Allen Skilman, Martin J. Hofer, 



246 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Charles B. Davidson, John B. Demotte, and Asbury 
Wilkeson were severally examined and passed, and 
they were continued on trial. Colbeth Hall was discon- 
tinued at his own request. 

The hour of adjournment having arrived, the ses- 
sion was closed with prayer by Reverend Belotte. 

Wednesday afternoon, 2 o'clock. Conference met 
pursuant to adjournment, and was opened by reading, 
singing and prayer by Brother Wiley, and after the roll 
was called and the journal read and approved the 
bishop introduced to the conference William C. Larra- 
bee, formerly of the Maine conference, and who is now 
transferred to this conference, and is one of the pro- 
fessors in the Asbury University, and he accordingly 
was invited to take his seat as a member of this con- 
ference. 

The bishop then presented a letter from Brother J. 
B. Finley, which, on motion of Brother Wiley, was re- 
ferred to a committee, and Allen Wiley, Augustus Eddy 
and Aaron Wood were by the chair appointed said 
committee. 

The second question on the minutes was resumed, 
and the character of Morris Benton, Nathan S. Wor- 
den, Thomas A. Goodwin, Samuel Smith, William C. 
Smith, John Kisling and Eli C. Jones were severally 
examined and passed, and they were continued on 
trial. Freeman F. Sheldon was discontinued at his 
own request. 

The fourth question on the minutes was then taken 
up, viz.: Who are the deacons? And the characters 
of Seth Smith, Cyrus Nutt, Francis A. Conwell, James 
Hill, Joseph S. Barwick, John Talbott, John L. Kelly, 
George W. Stafford, John H. Hull and James Crawford 
were severally examined and passed. 

The fifth question of the minutes was taken up, 
viz. : Who have been elected and ordained elders this 
year? And the characters of Samuel T. Gillet, John 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 247 



Edwards, Jacob Miller, Francis H. Gary, John Kiger, 
Silas Rawson, Wade Posey, John B. Birt, William J. 
Forbes, Jacob Myers and George W. Bowers were sev- 
erally examined and passed, and they were elected to 
Elders Orders. 

On motion Isaac Kelso was located, because he has 
neither filled or attempted to fill his appointment for 
the past two years. 

On motion of Brother Wiley, Silas Rawson was 
supplied in a superannuated relation, on account of ill 
health. 

On motion, conference adjourned until tomorrow 
morning at 8 o'clock, and was closed with prayer by 
Rev. Daniel. 

Thursday morning, October 7, 1841. Conference 
met pursuant to adjournment and was opened by read- 
ing, singing and prayer by Rev. Ruter. After the roll 
was called, and the minutes were read and approved, 
Brother Swormstedt, one of the Western Book Agents, 
addressed the conference on the business of the book 
concern. 

The stewards were then permitted to call upon the 
members of the conference for their claims and re- 
ceipts, and also for the amount of the fifth collection. 

At the suggestion of the bishop conference voted to 
draw upon the book concern for seven hundred dol- 
lars, and upon the chartered fund for sixty-nine dol- 
lars, and at the suggestion of Brother Wiley, the draft 
was ordered upon the Preachers' Aid Society for four 
hundred and fifteen dollars. 

The third question of the minutes being taken up, 
viz.: "Who are admitted into full connection?" The 
candidates were called forward and after having been 
questioned, as the discipline directs, were for a few 
moments solemnly and impressively addressed by the 
bishop, and the committee of examination having re- 
ported in each case, the characters of Peter R. Guthrie, 



248 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Edward Oldham, James R. Williams, Resetter C. Row- 
ley, Walter L. Hoffman, John S. Donaldson, Enoch 
Holdstock, William Wilson, George W. Ames, Draper 
Chipman, J. F. Truslow, Lealdes Forbes, George W. 
Baker, Wesley Dorsey, Barden H. Bradbury, Samuel 
Reed and William Wheeler were severally examined 
and passed, and they were admitted into full connec- 
tion, and elected to Deacons' Orders, except J. F. Trus- 
low and Barden H. Bradbury who had previously been 
ordained. 

On motion of Brother A. Wood the session was pro- 
longed to finish the third question. 

Joseph Cartier and Ezra Vanschiack were discon- 
tinued at their own request,, made through their Pre- 
siding Elders. 

The characters of Haden Hays, Thomas J. Doyle, 
Washington Malick and William Bratton were exam- 
ined and passed, but not having been present at exami- 
nation they were on motion continued on trial. 

The characters of Hayden Hays, Thomas J. Doyle, 
K. Young were examined and passed and on motion 
they were continued on trial to complete their studies. 

The character of Joseph Ockerman was examined 
and passed but fears being entertained in reference to 
his health he was, on motion, continued on trial. 

The characters of George W. Walker and Daniel 
F. Stright were examined and passed and they were 
admitted into full connection, and having been or- 
dained deacons for two years, they were elected to 
Elders' Orders. 

The name of Samuel H. Rogers being called Brother 
Talbott, his presiding elder, reported that he had la- 
bored with great acceptability during part of the year, 
but being attacked with disease, after having suffered 
much affliction, he had recently died in peace. 

The name of Joseph J. Cooper having been mis- 



CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 249 



placed on the minutes, his character was examined and 
passed. 

J. V. R. Miller and Landy Havens having been ab- 
sent when the Bishop addressed the candidates, were 
now called and questioned, and their characters were 
examined and passed, and they were admitted into full 
connection and elected to Deacons' Orders. 

On motion the conference adjourned until tomor- 
row morning and was closed with prayer by Brother 
Dane. 

Friday morning, October 8, 1841. Conference met 
pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with read- 
ing, singing and prayer by Rev. S. C. Cooper. 

On motion of Brother Eddy, calling the roll was 
dispensed with during the remainder of the session. 

The minutes of yesterday were read and approved, 
and Brother Swormstedt again addressed the confer- 
ence and presented the exhibit of the Western Book 
Concern which was filed among the papers of this 
conference. The stewards then made another call for 
the fifth collection. 

The following resolution was presented by Brother 
Eddy : 

"Resolved, That the Superintendent be requested to 
revise the course of study for this conference. 

A. EDDY, 
E. G. WOOD. 

And after a brief discussion, it was withdrawn by 
the mover. 

On motion of Brother A. Wood, it was resolved that 
when conference adjourn it will adjourn to meet at 
two o'clock this afternoon, to attend to certain appeals. 

Brother J. C. Smith presented the parchment of 
Thomas P. Jones as local deacon, who had surrendered 
it into his hands, when certain statements were al- 
leged against him, which he declined to meet, and the 



250 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



parchment was filed among the papers of the con- 
ference. 

The fifth question of the minutes being resumed, 
viz. : "Who have been elected and ordained elders this 
year?" The name of William Knowles having been 
called, it was resolved that his character pass, and that 
he receive such admonition as the bishop may think fit. 

The name of H. B. Beers having been called it was 
on motion resolved that a committee of five be ap- 
pointed by the chair to consider any objections which 
may be made against him. 

The character of Emmons Rutledge was examined 
and passed and he was elected to Eiders' Orders. 

The resolution continuing Brother Ockerman on 
trial was on motion of Brother Beswick reconsidered, 
and he was admitted into full connection and elected 
to Deacons' Orders. 

The first question on the minutes was then taken 
up, viz.: "Who are admitted on trial?" And the fol- 
lowing brethren were recommended and admitted on 
trial, viz. : Charles Mapes, from the Madison district ; 
Jesse Sparks, from the Crawfordsville district; Will- 
iamson Tyrrill, from the Bloomington district, and 
John Bradshaw, from the Winchester district. 

George Havens was recommended from the Indian- 
apolis district and having previously been a member 
was readmitted. 

James D. Templin was recommended from the In- 
dianapolis district but was not received, and William 
K. Knale was recommended from the Charlestown dis- 
trict and his case was laid upon the table for further 
consideration. 

Brother Whitter presented the parchments of John 
W. F. Tevis as deacon and elder, and they were filed 
among the papers of the conference. 

The chair announced C. W. Ruter, A. Wood, J. Mil- 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 251 



ler, R. S. Robinson and W. V. Daniels as the commit- 
tee on the case of Brother Beers. 

The time of adjournment having arrived, confer- 
ence was closed with prayer by Brother Marsee. 

Friday afternoon, October 8, 1841. The confer- 
ence was opened according to adjournment with prayer 
by Brother Burns and the minutes of the morning were 
read and approved. 

The conference went into an investigation of an 
appeal taken by William Hunt, a local elder in the Win- 
chester circuit, from the decision of the quarterly 
meeting conference, by which he had been expelled 
from the Methodist Episcopal church. The appellant 
having come forward, Brother Burns, the presiding 
elder before whom the trial took place, presented a 
copy of the minutes of the trial, which was read before 
the conference and filed among its papers. The appel- 
lant then addressed the conference, giving the grounds 
of his appeal, admitting the truth of the first charge 
on which he was tried, but alleging that he was sus- 
tained by facts. Whereupon, after due deliberation, 
the following resolution was presented, viz. : "Re- 
solved, That the decision of the quarterly meeting con- 
ference of the Winchester circuit, by which William 
Hunt, a local elder in the Methodist Episcopal church, 
was expelled from said church, be and is hereby re- 
versed. Allen Wiley, James Scott.' , And the resolu- 
tion was adopted almost unanimously by a rising vote. 

The first question of the minutes was resumed and 
the following brethren were recommended and re- 
ceived, viz. : Orange V. Lemon, from South Bend dis- 
trict; David Crawford, from Indianapolis district; 
James Corwin, from Vincennes district; James H. 
Newland, from Bloomington district; Hezekiah Smith, 
from Winchester district; Alfred B. Nesbit, from Vin- 
cennes district; Jacob Whiteman, recommended from 
Charleston circuit, Ohio; Absalom Paris, from Green- 



252 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



castle district, and Jacob Bruner, from Bloomington 
district. 

William H. Knale, whose case was laid over, and 
Eli Rogers, from the Logansport district, were not re- 
ceived, but on motion their elders have liberty to em- 
ploy them if necessary. 

Samuel Brenton, recommended from the Craw- 
fordsville district, having previously been a member, 
was readmitted. 

E. F. Remington was recommended from the Madi- 
son district but was not received. 

On motion of Brother Eddy conference adjourned 
until tomorrow morning, and was closed with prayer 
by Brother Kearns. 

Saturday morning, October 9, 1841. Conference 
was opened according to adjournment with reading, 
singing and prayer by Brother Eddy. 

Some remarks were made concerning the book con- 
cern, by the agent, and several visiting brethren were 
introduced by the bishop. 

On motion the Rev. Mr. Fitch, Bible agent, who had 
previously been introduced to the conference and who 
had requested opportunity to address the conference, 
was requested to give his address on Monday morning. 

The committee on the transcription of the jour- 
nals, by Brother J. Crawford, the chairman made re- 
port as follows, viz. : "Terre Haute, 9th October, 1841. 
The committee appointed to examine and compare the 
journals of the former sessions of this conference, beg 
leave to report, that in examining the new journal, 
they have found the mechanical execution and or- 
thography good and highly creditable, but on carefully 
comparing it throughout with the original, they have 
found numerous omissions, insertions and alterations 
in the language, in some instances improving, but in 
others changing the sense. The most material omis- 
sions are the report on education, and the printed ex- 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 253 



hibits of the book concern, and some resolutions on 
different subjects. Your committee have not deemed 
themselves authorized to make corrections, but here- 
with submit a statement of eighty-one errors, with 
the page and line where they occur, all which is re- 
spectfully submitted." 

J. CRAWFORD, 
L. W. BERRY, 
SAMUEL P. GILLET. 

Which report, together with the list of corrections, 
was laid upon the secretary's desk. A motion was 
made to adopt the report, and on motion of Brother 
Wood the subject was laid upon the table. 

The first question on the minutes was resumed, and 
the following persons were recommended and re- 
ceived, viz. : Henry H. Bradley, from the Winchester 
district; Samuel C. Swayne, from the Winchester dis- 
trict; Milton Mahen, Horatio N. Barnes and James 
Black, from the Logansport district, and John C. 
Medsker and Elijah S. Blue, from the South Bend 
district. 

On motion of Brother Cooper, the case of James D. 
Templin, who was not received, was reconsidered, and 
after deliberation he was received on trial. Eventus 
Doud, recommended from the Logansport district, was 
readmitted. 

The recommendations of local preachers to Dea- 
cons' Orders were now taken up and the following 
brethren were elected to Deacons' Orders, viz. : Har- 
vey Moss, John Ruby and Dennis Kearsey (a colored 
man), from the Madison district; John L. Smith, John 
W. Bradshaw and Stephan Norman, from the Win- 
chester district; Thomas J. Doyle and Peter Bottorff 
from the Charlestown district; Elijah Sewell, Obadiah 
Tincher, John Hancock and Thomas B. Caywood, from 
the Crawfordsville district; Mark Bruffe and Alexan- 



254 CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 



der Surbaugh, from the Greencastle district ; and John 
Sutcliffe, from the Connersville district. 

Pleasant E. Royse was recommended from the 
Charlestown district, but was not elected. Michael 
Johnson was recommended from the Bloomington dis- 
trict, but was not elected. 

The examination of applications for Elders' Orders 
was commenced, and the following persons were rec- 
ommended and elected as elders, viz. : Robert Carron, 
from the Madison district; Samuel Brenton, from the 
Crawfordsville district; Samuel H. Dickerson, from 
the Greencastle district, and Robert Harrison, from 
the South Bend district. Elijah E. Barrett was rec- 
ommended from the Winchester district, but owing to 
constitutional difficulties he was not elected. 

Brothers Beswick and Burns were excused from 
attendance, to transact some necessary business. Ab- 
sence was granted to Brothers A. Wood and E. G. 
Wood for the afternoon session, and to Brother Walker 
for the remainder of the session. 

The committee, to whom the case of Brother Beers 
was referred, reported as follows: "We, the commit- 
tee to whom the case of Brother Beers was referred 
for investigation after examining the evidence pro- 
curable in the case, report that in their judgment the 
difficulty arose entirely from misunderstanding be^ 
tween the parties and that nothing has occurred to 
implicate the Christian or ministerial character of 
Brother Beers. C. W. Ruter, chairman; William V. 
Daniels, secretary." Whereupon, on motion of Brother 
Thompson, the report was adopted and the character 
of Brother Beers being passed, he was elected to El- 
ders' Orders. 

The vote given in the case of Brother Ravenscroft 
was, on motion of Brother Dane, reconsidered, and he 
was admitted into full connection, and elected to Dea- 
cons' Orders. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 255 



The hour of adjournment having arrived, on mo- 
tion it was resolved that conference meet again at two 
o'clock this afternoon, and the session was closed with 
prayer by Brother Thompson. 

Saturday afternoon, October 9, 1841. Conference 
was opened pursuant to adjournment, with reading, 
singing and prayer by Brother Havens. 

The following resolution was then presented: "Re- 
solved, That a committee of three be elected to esti- 
mate the table expenses of Bishop Roberts for the cur- 
rent year. C. W. Ruter, G. M. Beswick." Which being 
put by the secretary was unanimously adopted, and 
Allen Wiley, C. W. Ruter and A. Eddy were nominated 
and appointed said committee. 

The committee to whom was referred the commu- 
nication from Brother J. B. Finley, reported as fol- 
lows, viz. : 

"The committee to whom was referred the address 
of Brother J. B. Finley to this conference, on the sub- 
ject of publishing a social and domestic library at our 
book room in Cincinnati, have had the same under 
consideration, and beg leave to report that in our 
opinion such a publication would be of great impor- 
tance to our Western country in eliciting the talents 
of our writers, and the diffusion of useful knowledge 
among the people. But your committee are not in pos- 
session of sufficient data to decide whether it would be 
expedient to proceed immediately in this enterprise, 
especially in view of the depressed state of the pecu- 
niary affairs of our country. The committee there- 
fore beg leave to offer the following resolutions : 

" 'Resolved, That in the opinion of this conference 
such a publication is desirable if suitable works can 
be obtained. 

" 'Resolved, Secondly, That we recommend such a 
publication at our Western book room, provided it can 
be done without pecuniary loss to the concern. 

" 'ALLEN WILEY, Chairman: " 



256 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



And after some deliberation and discussion the 
report and resolutions were adopted. 

The following resolution was then presented: 
"Resolved, That our venerable and beloved super- 
intendent, Bishop Roberts, be and is hereby requested 
at his first convenient opportunity, to sit for his por- 
trait, and that the preachers of this conference be per- 
mitted to defray the expense which may accrue in ob- 
taining such portrait. C. W. Ruter, G. W. Ames." 
Which being put by the secretary was adopted by a 
rising vote. 

The examination of the characters of elders was 
recommended and Brothers Ruter, Talbott, Brown, 
Wiley, Eddy, Burns, Havens, Miller and Beswick gave 
an account of their several districts, informing us of 
the work of God during the year as well as of their 
own personal experience, which was of a most gratify- 
ing character, and the season thus spent was one of 
deep and serious feeling — and their characters were 
examined and passed. 

The report on the journals was on motion taken up, 
and the following resolution was then presented, viz. : 

"Resolved, That a committee of three, to consist 
of E. R. Ames, Cyrus Nutt and H. B. Beers, be and 
they are hereby appointed to review, compare and cor- 
rect the new journal, and report as soon as practicable 
to the conference. S. C. Cooper, Allen Wiley." Which 
resolution was adopted. 

Brother Wiley suggested that expenses had accrued 
for the purchase of a book, and recording centenary 
contributions, on motion of Brother Cooper it was re- 
solved that these expenses be met out of any centenary 
monies now on hand. 

On motion conference adjourned to meet on Mon- 
day morning, and was closed by prayer by Brother 
Stiver. 

Monday morning, 8 o'clock, October 11, 1841. Con- 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 257 



ference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened 
with reading, singing and prayer by Brother Kearns. 

The journals were then read and approved, and on 
motion leave of absence for the remainder of the ses- 
sion was granted to Brother Forbes and Brother 
Truslow. 

The time having arrived, which was set for hearing 
the address of Rev. Mr. Fitch, agent of the bible so- 
ciety, and he not appearing, on motion the conference 
proceeded to the regular business of examining the 
characters of elders and the characters of Joseph Mar- 
see, Constant B. Jones, James Jones, John C. Smith, 
William V. Daniels, Richard Hargrave, Amos Bussy, 
William G. Good, Isaac Crawford, Henry S. Dane, 
Lucian W. Berry, Anthony Robinson, Thomas Ray and 
John Daniel were examined and passed. 

The character of Jesse C. Harbin was examined 
and passed, and he was placed in a superannuated re- 
lation. 

The character of John A. Decker was examined and 
passed and he was placed in a supernumerary relation. 

The Rev. Mr. Fitch, the Bible agent, was now per- 
mitted to address the conference on the subject of 
Bible societies, and William V. Daniels, Joseph Marsee 
and John C. Smith were appointed a committee to take 
the subject into consideration and report to this con- 
ference. 

Enoch G. Wood and Aaron Wood gave an account 
of the work in their districts and their characters were 
examined and passed. 

The characters of the following brethren were ex- 
amined and passed, viz. : Charles Bonner, F. C. Holli- 
day, John Kearns, Isaac McElroy, Amasa Johnson, 
Ariel Beach, Enoch Wood, Jared B. Mershen, Allen D. 
Beasley, Ebenezer Patrick, Daniel Demotte, Thomas 
Bartlett, Miles Huffaker, Isaac Owen, J. L. Belotte, 
John S. Bayless, Cornelius Swank, Ezra L. Kemp, M. 

(17) 



258 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Simpson, S. C. Cooper, C. M. Holliday, Philip May, 
William McGinnis, Jacob M. Stallard, Thomas Spilman, 
Elijah Whitten, Miltiades Miller, Joseph Tarkington, 
Wiliam W. Hibben, G. C. Beeks, Lewis Hurlbert, Sam- 
uel S. Reeves, John H. Bruce, John W. Sullivan, R. S. 
Robinson, Joseph White, Jacob Colclares, William M. 
Fraley, Warren Griffith, Zachariah Games, George M. 
Boyd and Edward R. Ames. 

The characters of William H. Smith and Benja- 
min T. Griffith were examined and passed and they 
were placed in a superannuated relation. 

The characters of Thomas S. Gunn and George 
K. Hester were examined and passed and they were 
granted a location. 

The secretary was then permitted to read an ab- 
stract of numbers, Sunday school, etc., and after con- 
ference had been prolonged to permit him to finish 
the reading, the session was closed with prayer by 
Brother Hurlbert. 

Tuesday morning, October 12, 1841. Conference 
was opened at the usual hour with reading, singing 
and prayer by Brother A. Wood, and the secretary not 
being present, Brother Swormstedt was permitted to 
address the conference, after which the minutes were 
read and approved and the house proceeded to business. 

The following resolution was then presented, viz. : 
"Whereas, The premature marriage of young min- 
isters, embarrasses the appointing power, burdens the 
fields of labor, with much additional expense, and in 
most cases retards the improvement of the preachers 
and thereby renders them less useful; therefore, Re- 
solved, that this conference, in future, will discontinue 
any preacher who marries within the period of his 
probation. 

ALLEN WILEY, 
E. G. WOOD. ,, 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 259 



Which by the vote of the Conference was not sus- 
tained. 

The following report was then submitted: "The 
committee appointed to estimate the table expenses of 
Bishop Roberts, have had the same under considera- 
tion, and have fixed the sum at four hundred dollars. 

ALLEN WILEY, 
C. W. RUTER, 
A. EDDY." 

October 9, 1841. 

On motion of Brother Holliday, it was resolved 
that the preachers in charge of the circuit where Sis- 
ter Rogers may reside, be requested to dispose of such 
part of the books received from the book concern as 
shall meet his liabilities to said concern. 

The committee on memoirs reported a sketch of the 
life of Brother Williams which was adopted and 
handed to the bishop. 

The following resolution was presented, viz. : 

"Whereas, We regard the Indiana Asbury Univer- 
sity as destined to exert an extensive and most salutary 
influence on the religious, moral and literary charac- 
ter of the community throughout our state ; and 

Whereas, we believe the interests of the university 
would be promoted by such a course ; therefore 

Resolved, That we respectfully request the trustees 
of the university to make such arrangements as will 
allow President Simpson an opportunity of spending 
next summer, or at least a part of it, in traveling 
throughout the state, for the purpose of extending his 
acquaintance among the people, and of promoting the 
interests of the university in such way as he may 
judge expedient. 

Resolved, That the secretary be directed to lay a 
copy of this resolution before the board of trustees. 

E. R. AMES, 
C. W. RUTER." 



260 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Which resolution was adopted. 

The report of the mission committee was then pre- 
sented by Brother Ruter and was adopted. 

The examination of the characters of the superan- 
nuated preachers was then taken up, and the charac- 
ter of J. L. Thompson was examined and passed and 
he was continued in a superannuated relation, and the 
following resolution was adopted: 

"Resolved, That Brother Thompson have liberty 
to remove to the west if he thinks proper so to do. 

S. C. COOPER, 
C. W. RUTER." 

The character of James Scott was examined and 
passed and his relation continued, and on motion of 
Brother Cooper he was granted leave of absence for 
the remainder of this session. 

The characters of William Shanks, John A. Brouse, 
Hackaliel Vredenburg and Asa Beck were examined 
and passed and they were continued in their relation. 

The character of David Stiver was examined and 
passed, and he was continued in his relation, he in- 
forming the conference that for next year he would 
not be a claimant on its funds. 

The character of Burroughs Westlake was exam- 
ined and passed and he was made affective. 

The character of John Richie was examined and 
passed and on motion his relation was changed from 
that of superannuated to supernumerary, and on mo- 
tion it was resolved that Brother Ritchie be requested 
to locate at the next conference. 

On motion, resolved, that the secretary be directed 
to furnish Brother Ritchie a copy of this resolution. 

On motion it was resolved that when conference 
adjourns it adjourn to meet at 2 o'clock this after- 
noon, to consider the case of Brother Daily, and the 
session was closed with prayer by Brother J. Craw- 
ford. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 261 



Tuesday afternoon, October 12, 1841. Conference 
was opened by reading, singing and prayer by Brother 
E. G. Wood, and the minutes being read, they were 
approved, with the exception that the following reso- 
lution passed in the morning session had been omitted : 

"Resolved, That we highly approve the manner in 
which the Ladies' Repository has been thus far con- 
ducted, that it is fully calculated to meet the wishes of 
all ladies and gentlemen of intelligence and enlight- 
ened moral taste, wherever it is circulated, and that 
we think it worthy a still more extensive patronage. 
2d. That we will use our best endeavers to increase, 
within our respective charges the subscription list, 
to the ladies' repository, at the same time not forget- 
ting nor neglecting the interests of the Western Chris- 
tian Advocate, and other periodicals of our church. 

C. W. RUTER, 
S. C. COOPER." 

Tuesday afternoon, October 12, 1841. The case 
of William M. Dailey being the order of the after- 
noon, Brother Havens as presiding elder, presented 
the minutes of the investigation had before him, by 
which it appeared that he had been cited before a com- 
mittee, consisting of Brothers Whitten, Myers, J. 
Crawford, Berry and Birt, to answer the following 
charge : "For unministerial and unchristian intimacy 
with a certain Mrs. Defrees, a married woman. Speci- 
fication first. For imprudently frequenting her room. 
Specification second. Laying your arms around her 
and kissing her in the absence of company." And 
after testimony presented and defense made, he had 
been suspended until this session of the conference. 
The minutes of said investigation are filed with the 
conference papers and marked No. 1 ; and accompany- 
ing them a paper containing his written defense before 
said committee marked No. 2; both of which are in- 



262 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



dorsed by the secretary with the date of their being 
filed. Which papers being presented and read, Brother 
Daily was called upon to make his plea to the charges, 
as by the decision of the chair, the case now came up 
on its merits. Whereupon he plead that he was guilty 
of imprudence, but not guilty of any crime sufficient 
to exclude from the kingdom of grace and glory, and 
referred to his plea before the committee contained in 
the minutes as containing the words he desired to use. 
Whereupon testimony was called for on the part of the 
prosecution, and the minutes of the trial referred to 
were principally relied upon. Brother Goode made a 
few statements, the substance of which was that 
Brother Daily had not informed him of his intention 
to leave Indianapolis at the time as set forth in his 
defense, and that from the state of the weather is was 
rather presumptive that he had left without much 
previous meditation. Brother S. C. Cooper then 
stated that he had been with Brother Daily, and he 
had informed him of his intention to leave the day 
before the principal occurrence alluded to in the tes- 
timony, and that he had in his presence taken leave 
of several friends. Testimony was then called for on 
the part of the defense, and a letter from Mr. Defrees, 
the husband of the lady alluded to, was presented, but 
objection being made it was not admitted as testimony, 
but Brother Daily was permitted to read it as a part of 
his defense and being much exhausted, the secretary, 
at his own request, read it as the introduction of his 
defense, and he followed with an address of some 
length; after which Brother Havens made a few re- 
marks on the part of the prosecution, and Brother 
Daily was requested to retire. The following resolu- 
tion was then presented by Brother A. Wood : 

"Resolved, That the specifications and charges in 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 263 



the case of Brother Daily do not come under question 
1st, but question 2d, in book of discipline, Sec. 19. 

AARON WOOD, 
JOSEPH WHITE." 

Which after some deliberation was withdrawn by 
the mover. Brother Patrick then moved that in the 
opinion of this conference the chafges are not sus- 
tained, which being seconded, on motion of Brother 
Eddy, conference adjourned and was closed with 
prayer by Brother Hargrave. 

Wednesday morning, October 13, 1841. Confer- 
ence met pursuant to adjournment and was opened 
with reading, singing and prayer by Brother Lar- 
rabee. 

On motion of Brother Havens, Brothers Young, 
Hanneman and Drom were called to give testimony 
in reference to the character of the Hill family, and 
especially in reference to Margaret Hill, the principal 
witness of the prosecution. All of whom concurred in 
saying that their character was unexceptionable, 
which was confirmed by Brothers Wiley, Eddy and 
Goode. The motion made on yesterday by Brother 
Patrick was by him withdrawn, and he presented a 
resolution which being amended was passed in the fol- 
lowing shape, viz. : 

"Resolved, That both specifications under the 
charge against the accused are in the opinion of the 
conference sustained." 

The following resolution was presented and passed : 

"Resolved, That this conference having found 
Brother Daily guilty of unministerial and imprudent 
conduct in the specifications above mentioned, do there- 
fore consider that he be admonished by the chair, and 
that his character pass. 

S. C. COOPER, 
E. R. AMES." 



264 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 

The following resolutions were presented and 
passed : 

Resolved, That in the action had in this conference 
in the investigation of a charge against Rev. William 
M. Daily and the decision, thereupon this conference 
does not impute to the family of Mr. Arthur Hill, of 
Indianapolis, any want of veracity, nor anything which 
can affect the reputation and character of said family. 

W. H. GOODE, 
E. R. AMES. 

Resolved, That the secretary be directed to furnish 
Brother Hill a copy of the above resolution. 

Brother Daily being called before the conference, 
Bishop Roberts in compliance with a preceding resolu- 
tion delivered an affectionate and appropriate admoni- 
tion to brother Daily, who in reply admitted his er- 
ror and the propriety of the admonition, and promised 
in a solemn manner, hereafter to be more circumspect 
in his conduct, and to regard the present action of con- 
ference in kindness. 

Brother Ames presented the report of the joint 
board of trustees and visitors of the Asbury Univer- 
sity, which was filed among the papers of conference, 
after having been adopted, and its publication in the 
Advocate ordered. 

Brother Cooper presented a statement of the funds 
raised for a library, and on motion the faculty of the 
institution were constituted a committee to receive and 
appropriate the funds which either have been collected 
or which may be collected for said purpose during the 
present year. 

The stewards made their report by which it appears 
that the amount of claims are $32,182.20, the amount 
of receipts, $20,771.10, and the deficit, $12,209.10. 
That they were enabled to report a dividend of thirty 
and one-fourth per cent., having received from fifth 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 265 



collections $247.91, from conference collections, $73.00, 
Book Concern, $700.00, chartered fund, $69.00 ; total, 
$1,089.91, and the dividends were distributed accord- 
ing to their report, after it had been adopted by the 
conference, which report is filed among the papers of 
conference. 

On motion of Brother Cooper the balance in the 
hands of the stewards, after paying for stationary, etc., 
was appropriated to Sister Chord. Brother Ackerman 
also desired his dividend to be given to Sister Chord, 
which was accordingly done. 

On motion of Brother Wiley, conference adjourned 
to meet at two o'clock and was closed by prayer by 
Brother J. J. Cooper. 

Wednesday afternoon, October 13, 1841. Confer- 
ence met pursuant to adjournment and was opened 
with reading, singing and prayer by Brother Rutledge. 

On motion of Brother Wiley the superintendent was 
requested to appoint Brother J. C. Cooper as agent for 
the university. 

On motion of Brother Ames, P. J. Beswick was dis- 
continued at his own request to pursue his studies. 

Brother E. G. Wood moved the discontinuance of 
Brother Dayie at his own request. 

On motion the conference proceeded to elect nine 
visitors of the university in accordance with the pro- 
vision of the charter, whereupon, on counting the vote, 
A. Eddy, J. C. Smith, J. Havens, C. W. Ruter, A. Wiley, 
L. W. Berry, E. R. Ames, W. H. Goode and Aaron 
Wood were elected said visitors. 

The following resolutions were severally presented 
and passed, viz. : 

"Resolved that the thanks of this conference be ten- 
dered to the citizens of this town and its vicinity for 
the kind and equitable manner in which they have re- 
ceived and entertained the conference during its pres- 



266 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



ent sitting, and that the preacher officiating next Sab- 
bath announce the same from the pulpit. 

ALLEN WILEY, 
A. EDDY." 

Resolved that the thanks of this conference be ten- 
dered to Rev. Mr. Jewett and his congregation for the 
use of their church on last Sabbath. 

A. WILEY, 
A. EDDY/' 

Resolved that the secretary be requested to furnish 
the editors of the Wabash Courier and the Greencastle 
Visitor list of the appointments and request their pub- 
lication. A. WILEY, 

A. EDDY." 

The conference then proceeded to elect a place for 
next conference, and on motion of Brother Ames, it 
was resolved that a majority be required to select the 
place; whereupon Centerville, Madison, Jeffersonville, 
Lafayette and South Bend were named, and on the 
second ballot Centerville was selected as the place, and 
the bishop announced the time to be October 19, 1842. 

In reference to Act of the Legislature of this state 
at its last session, the following resolutions were pre- 
sented and passed, viz: Resolved, that Samuel S. 
Cooper be, and is hereby appointed, an agent for "the 
conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of the 
state of Indiana," for the purpose of collecting, sub- 
scriptions made with the view to the building of a 
college edifice at the town of Greencastle, in this state. 

Resolved, that all subscriptions belonging to this 
conference for this purpose, be placed in the hands of 
said agent. 

The following resolutions were presented and 
passed : "Resolved, that viewing the missionary cause 
as of paramount importance and having much con- 
fidence in the success of fervent-believing prayer, we 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 267 



deem it expedient that there should be holden a mis- 
sionary prayer meeting, and that we will endeavor to 
have such meetings established so far as practicable, 
in all the societies throughout our work, and that at 
such meetings we consider it advisable to lift collec- 
tions in aid of the missionary cause. Second, That the 
first Monday evening in each month be set apart for 
the missionary prayer meeting in all our societies if 
convenient, and if not, some evening as soon thereafter 
as circumstances will permit. C. W. Ruter, R. S. 
Robinson." 

"Resolved, that we recommend to the people of our 
respective charges to observe Friday, the 24th of De- 
cember next, as a day of fasting or abstinance, and to 
commence on that day in each society, where practic- 
able, a four days' prayer meeting, and that such meet- 
ings be protracted to a greater length, where circum- 
stances appear to justify such a course. C. W. Ruter, 
A. Eddy." 

"Resolved, that the secretary be requested to furnish 
all papers of a general character, at his discretion, for 
publication in the Western Christian Advocate. A. 
Eddy, C. V/. Ruter." 

The committee on the Preachers' Aid Society report 
as follows : "The committee appointed to disburse the 
funds arising from the Preachers' Aid Society have had 
the subject under consideration and make the follow- 
ing report, viz : There are four hundred and fifteen 
dollars and twelve and a half cents on hand, the pro- 
ceeds of the above fund, which we have appropriated 
as follows, viz: 

To James Jones $25.00 

To Charles Bonner 65.00 

To Miles Huffaker 35.00 

To Wm. H. Smith 25.00 

To James L. Thompson 25.00 

To H. Vredenburgh 95.00 



268 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



To Asa Beck 

To E. Whitten 

To J. Kerns 

To R. L. Robinson 



35.00 
30.00 



25.00 
55.121/2 



Respectfully, 

A. WILEY, Chairman. 



Which report was adopted. 

The committee on the American Bible Society, re- 
ported as follows, viz. "Resolved, First, That we high- 
ly approve the designs and operations of the American 
Bible Society, and that we learn with great pleasure its 
intention of affecting a resupply of the destitute in our 
state and country, and most cordially do we recommend 
it to the confidence, prayer and patronage of our people 
within the bounds of this conference. 

"Resolved, Second, That we invite the accredited 
agents of the American Bible Society to visit our con- 
gregations and will co-operate with them in carrying 
out the objects of this society so far as our other 
ministerial duties will permit. 

"Resolved, Third, That when such agents shall 
visit any of our congregations they shall be authorized 
to take collections for the purposes above specified if it 
should be deemed prudent. 

"Resolved, Fourth, That each preacher in charge 
of the circuits and stations be requested to preach at 
least one sermon in the course of the year in each sta- 
tion, and at appropriate places in each circuit, on the 
claims of the American Bible Society, and the import- 
ance of Biblical knowledge." 

The following resolutions were presented and 
adopted : 

"Resolved, That we respectfully request the agents 
of our Western Book Concern to make arrangements to 
furnish as soon as practicable a more ample supply of 
books, adapted to the wants of our Sabbath schools. 



C. W. RUTER, 
F. C. HOLLIDAY. 



CIRC V IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 269 



"Resolved, That when we adjourn, we adjourn to 
meet again this evening at 6V2 o'clock to hear the ad- 
dress of the bishop and to receive our appointments." 

Brother A. Wiley asked a superannuated relation 
for Brother William Knowles, which was granted. 

The report of the book committee was read and 
adopted and filed among conference papers. 

On motion conference was closed with benediction 
by the bishop. 

Wednesday evening, October 13, 1841. Conference 
met pursuant to adjournment and was opened with 
reading, singing and prayer by Brother Havens. 

On motion of Brother Ruter, J. M. Hofer was 
elected to Deacons Orders, he being a missionary 
among the Germans. 

And conference was closed with singing by Bishop 
Roberts and prayer by Brother Swormstedt, after 
which an impressive address was delivered by the 
bishop, and the appointments were read and the 
preachers dismissed with the benediction. 
Attest: R. R. ROBERTS. 

M. SIMPSON, Secretary. 

APPOINTMENTS FOR 1841. 

Madison District. 

C. W. Ruter, Presiding Elder. 
Madison — Allen Wiley. 
Paris — Seth Smith. 
Vernon — Lemuel M. Reeves. 
Canaan — Hayden Hays, George W. Baker. 
Vevay — James Crawford, one to be supplied. 
Rising Sun — Amos Bussey, George W. Stafford. 
Lawrenceburg Station — Samuel T. Gillett. 
Manchester — Richard Hargrave, Thomas A. Good- 
win. 

Wilmington — James Jones, D. M'Intyre. 
Lawrenceburg German Mission — Jno. Kisling. 



270 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Charlestown District. 

E. G. Wood, presiding Elder. 

New Albany — William V. Daniel, W. Malick. 

Corydon — Thomas Ray, Charles Mapes. 

Greenville — Emmons Rutledge. 

Salem — Charles Bonner, Jacob Whitman. 

Charlestown — C. B. Jones, M. Benton. 

Lexington — G. C. Beeks, A. Wilkerson. 

Jeffersonville — Fernandes C. Holliday. 

Rome — Edward Oldham. 

New Albany German Mission — M. J. Hofer. 

Vincennes District. 

H S. Talbott, Presiding Elder. 
Evansville — John Kearns. 

Mt. Vernon — Anthony Robinson, S. Ravenscroft. 

Princeton — Isaac M'Elroy, J. A. Decker, sup. 

Boonville — William Bratton. 

Rockport, Daniel S. Elder. 

Vincennes — Elijah Whitten. 

Washington — John Talbott. 

Carlisle — John Daniel, James Corwine. 

Lebanon — Eli C. Jones. 

Bruceville — Alfred B. Nesbit. 

Greencastle District. 

George M. Beswick, Presiding Elder. 
Greencastle — Isaac Owen. 
Putnamviile — Isaac Crawford. 
Russellvilie — Thomas Bartlett, W. Dorsey. 
Rockville — Cornelius Swank. 

Terre Haute, embracing Mt. Pleasant and Otter 
Creek meeting-houses — John S. Bayless. 
Prairietown — Elam Jenung. 
Roseville — Zachariah Games. 
Newport — Ezra L. Kemp. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 271 



Danville — Joseph Marsee. 

Indiana Asbury University—Matthew Simpson, 
President ; Cyrus Nutt, Professor of Languages ; Will- 
iam C. Larrabee, Professor of Mathematics and Nat- 
ural Science ; S. C. Cooper, Agent. 

Crawfordsville District. 

John C. Smith, Presiding Elder. 
Crawfordsville — Samuel Brenton. 
Ladoga — Allen D. Beasley, R. H. Calvert. 
Frankfort — William Wilson, Samuel Reed. 
Covington — J. B. Mershon, R. C. Rowley. 
Newtown — Thomas J. Brown, J. White. 
Augusta — Jonas L. Belotte. 
Lebanon — John Edwards. 
Alamo — Daniel Demott. 
Perrysville — Joseph S. Barwick. 

Lafayette District. 

Charles M. Holliday, Presiding Elder. 

Lafayette — Amasa Johnson. 

Dayton — Jacob Colclazer. 

Delphi — William M. Fraley, J. H. Newland. 

Logansport — James Black. 

Rochester — Ancil Beach. 

Winnemeck Mission — Everitus Doud. 

Jasper Mission— H. N. Barnes. 

Monticello — Enoch Wood, John Ritchie, sup. 

Williamsport — J. J. Cooper, W. L. Huffman. 

South Bend District. 

A. Wood, Presiding Elder. 

South Bend— George M. Boyd, W. Griffith. 

Mishawaka — Hawley B. Beers. 

Goshen — E. Holstock, W. F. Wheeler. 

Lagrange- — J. C. Medsker. 



72 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Haw Patch— C. W. Miller. 

Laporte — Wade Posey, George W. Ames. 

Valparaiso — Isaac M. Stagg. 

Yellow River Mission — William J. Forbes. 

Fort Wayne District. 

B. Westlake, Presiding Elder. 

Fort Wayne — F. A. Conwell. 

Decatur — Jesse Sparks. 

Auburn — Samuel K. Young. 

Steuben — E. S. Blue. 

Eel River Mission — Samuel Smith. 

Peru — John F. Truslow. 

Warsaw — Orange V. Lemon. 

Upper Wabash Mission — Allen Skillman. 

Fort Wayne German Mission — To be supplied. 

Winchester District. 

Robert Burns, Presiding Elder. 

Winchester — John H. Hull. 

Portland — Joseph Ockerman. 

Munceytown — John L. Smith. 

Granville — B. H. Bradbury. 

Marion — Hezekiah Smith, B. Webster. 

Andersontown — John W. Bradshaw. 

Pendleton — John S. Donaldson. 

Biuffton — H. K. Bradley. 

Newcastle — John H. Bruce, S. C. Swayze. 

Connersville District. 

A. Eddy, Presiding Elder. 

Connersville — John Kiger, Jacob Bruner. 

Centerville — Miltiades Miller, C. B. Davidson. 

Richmond — Richard S. Robinson. 

Liberty — Joseph Tarkington, George Havens. 

Brookville — William W. Hibben, J. Hill, L. Havens. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 273 



Greensburg — John W. Sullivan. 
Millroy — Lewis Hurlburt, N. S. Worden. 
Versailles — Francis H. Carey. 

Bloomington District. 

John Miller, Presiding Elder. 

Bloomington — Jacob M. Stallard. 

Springville — Draper Chipman. 

Bedford — Peter R. Guthrie. 

Brownstown — William Maginnis. 

Columbus — Williamson Terrel, T. F. Spillman. 

Spencer — E. Patrick, J. B. Demott. 

Paoli— Philip May, M. Mahen. 

Brown Mission — Lealdes Forbes. 

Richland Mission — James R. Williams. 

Leesville — George W. Walker. 

Indianapolis District. 

James Havens, Presiding Elder. 
Indianapolis — William H. Goode, one to be sup- 
plied. 

Noblesville — Jacob Miller, J. Myers. 
Mooresviile — John B. Birt, David Crawford. 
Franklin — John L. Kelly, A. Paris. 
Shelbyville — H. S. Dane, James D. Templin. 
Rushville — Lucian W. Berry, J. W. Meilender. 
Knightstown — George W. Bowers, D. F. Stright. 
Greenfield— William C. Smith, J. V. R. Miller. 
Pipe Creek Mission — Miles Huffaker. 
E. R. Ames, Corresponding Secretary of the Mis- 
sionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

JOURNAL of the 11th Annual Session of the In- 
diana Conference Held in the Methodist Church in 
Centerville, October 19th, 1842. 

Wednesday morning, 9 o'clock. Conference met 
pursuant to appointment and was opened by Bishop 

9 

(18) 



274 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Morris by reading part of third chapter of Colossians 
and by singing and prayer. 

The list was then called by M. Simpson, the secre- 
tary of last conference, and the following members 
were found to be present, viz. : C. W. Ruter, E. G. 
Wood, H. S. Talbott, G. M. Beswick, J. C. Smith, C. M. 
Holliday, Aaron Wood, Burris W^estlake, Robert Burns, 
Augustus Eddy, John Miller, James Havens, Allen 
Wiley, Amos Bussey, S. T. Gillet, William V. Daniel, 
C. B. Jones, G. C. Beeks, F. C. Holliday, Anthony Rob- 
inson, Isaac McElroy, Elijah Whitten, John Daniel, 
Isaac Owen, Isaac Crawford, Thomas Bartiett, Cor- 
nelius Swank, John T. Kelly, G. W. Stafford, John H. 
Hill, Peter R. Guthrie, James R. Williams, J. V. R. 
Miller, J. S. Bayless, L. Games, E. L. Kemp, Joseph 
Marsee, M. Simpson, W. C. Larrabee S. C. Cooper, 
Allen D. Beasley, J. B. Mershon, Thomas J. Brown, 
J. L. Eelotte, John Edwards, Daniel DeMotte, Amasa 
Johnson, Ancil Beach, Enoch Wood, Joriah J. Cooper, 
G. M. Boyd, Warren Griffeth H. B. Beers, Wade Posey, 
William J. Forbes, John Bruce, John Krigger, Mii- 
tiades Miller, R. L. Robinson, Joseph Tarkington, Ro- 
setta Rowley, W. L. Huffman, Landy Havens, G. W. 
Ames, Draper Chipman, J. F. Truslow, W. W. Hibben, 
John W. Sullivan, Lewis Harbutt, F. H. Cary, William 
McGinnis, E. Patrick, Philip May, G. W. Walker, Will- 
iam H. Goode, Jacob Miller, J. Myers, L. W. Berry, 
George W. Bowers, D. F. Stright, Miles Huffaker, J. C. 
Harbin, J. Scott, David Stiver, W. M. Daily, J. A. 
Brouse, H. Vredenburgh, Silas Rawson, Bardon H. 
Bradbury, Seth Smith, Cyrus Nutt, James Hill, Joseph 
S. Barwick, Lealdes Forbes, Samuel Reed, William F. 
Wheeler, James Crawford, George Havens. 

The conference then proceeded to elect a secretary 
by ballot and upon counting the votes M. Simpson, hav- 
ing received a majority of all the votes was declared 
duly elected. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 275 



On motion of Brother A. Wood, Brothers Eddy, 
Miltiades Miller and R. S. Robinson were appointed a 
committee to select preachers daring conference, and 
superintend the religious services, and on motion of 
Brother Eddy, Brother Tarkington was added to said 
committee. 

On motion of Brother Wiley the hour of assemb- 
ling was fixed at 8 o'clock in the morning and adjourn- 
ment at 2. 

The conference then proceeded to the election of 
three stewards, by ballot, and upon the votes being 
received, on motion of Brother Ruter, the election was 
decided by plurality. Thereupon Brother S. C. Cooper, 
C. Nutt and W. H. Goode were duly elected. But on 
motion, Brother Goode was excused on account of en- 
gagements with the Missionary Society, and Brother J. 
Scott, being the next highest, was appointed in his 
place. 

On motion of Brother Wiley, the conference pro- 
ceeded to elect three stewards to disburse the funds 
received from the Preachers' Aid Society, in accord- 
ance with the provisions of the constitution of said 
society, and on motion, the choice was determined by 
plurality. Whereupon Brothers Wiley, C. W. Ruter 
and James Havens were declared duly elected. 

On motion of Brother Eddy, the conference resolved 
to have a committee of three upon necessitous cases, 
and the appointment was left with the chair. 

On motion of Brother Ruter, a committee of three 
to prepare memoirs of the dead was ordered, and the 
appointment was left with the chair. 

On motion of Brother Eddy, the central and corner 
seats were reserved for the use of members of the 
conference and aisles adjoining the seats were con- 
stituted the bar. 

On motion of Brother Ruter, the by-laws adopted 
at the first session of this conference, including the 



276 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



amendment as to closed doors, were adopted as the by- 
laws of this conference. 

On motion of Brother Ruter, a committee of three 
was ordered upon Book and Periodical accents, and 
the appointment was left with the chair. 

On motion of Brother S. C. Cooper, a committee 
was ordered to take into consideration the propriety of 
making arrangements for the division of this confer- 
ence at the ensuing General Conference, and report to 
this conference at its present session, and upon motion 
of Brother Eddy, the committee was to be composed 
of one from each district; whereupon Brother Allen 
Wiley, W. V. Daniels, John Kearns, S. C. Cooper, T. J. 
Brown, Amasa Johnson, George W. Ames, F. A. Con- 
well, J. H. Bruce, R. S. Robinson, L. W. Berry and 
Philip May were appointed. 

Brother Swormstedt was permitted to address the 
conference a few minutes upon the subject of the 
Book Concern. 

On motion of Brother H. S. Talbott, a committee 
was ordered to estimate the table expenses of Bishop 
Roberts, and Brothers H. S. Talbott, A. Wood and John 
Miller were appointed said committee. 

The second question on the minutes was then taken 
up, viz: "Who remain on trial?" and the characters 
of Charles Mapes, David Crawford, James D. Templin, 
Alfred B. Nesbit, James Corwin, Jesse Sparks, Ab- 
salom Paris, Williamson Terril, James H. Nejwland, 
Jacob Bruner, Hezekiah Smith, John W. Bradshaw, 
Henry H. Badley, S. C. Swayze, Milton Mohen, N. H. 
Barnes, Orange V. Lemon, Elijah S. Blue, J. C. Med- 
sker and Jacob Whiteman were severally examined 
and passed, and they were continued on trial — the 
character of James Black was examined and passed, 
and he was discontinued at his own request on account 
of ill health. 

The fourth question of the minutes was taken up, 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 277 



viz: "Who are the deacons?" and the characters of 
Peter R. Guthrie, Edward Oldham, James R. Williams, 
John V. R. Miller, Rosetter Rowley, Stephen Raven- 
scroft, John L. Donaldson, Joseph Ockerman, Enoch 
Holdstock, William Wilson, Landy Havens, George W. 
Ames, Draper Chipman, Lealdes Forbes, Wesley Dor- 
sey and Samuel Reed were examined and passed. 

The name of George W. Baker was called and it 
was announced by his Presiding Elder Brother Ruter, 
that he had died of pulmonary affection on the 9th of 
last April, in great peace. 

On motion of Brother Wiley, it was resolved that 
when conference adjourned, it adjourned to meet at 2 
o'clock in the afternoon, to continue the examination 
of character. 

The hour of adjournment having arrived, after 
some notices had been given, conference was closed 
with prayer by Brother Sullivan. 

Wednesday afternoon, 2 o'clock, October 19th, 1842. 
Conference met pursuant to adjournment and was 
opened by reading, singing and prayer, by Brother 
Marsee. 

The roll was then called and on motion of Brother 
Wiley, the calling of the roll was hereafter dispensed 
with. The Journals were read and approved, and a 
communication was read from the book agent at New 
York, requesting a list of postoffices in the bounds of 
this conference. And on motion of Brother Tarking- 
ton, a committee was ordered for said purpose. 

The fourth question of the minutes was resumed, 
and the name of William F. Wheeler being called, it 
was resolved, that he should be reproved and admon- 
ished by the chair, and that his character pass, which 
was accordingly done. 

The characters of Walter L. Huffman and George 
Havens were examined and passed. 

The fifth question of the minutes was taken up, viz : 



278 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



"Who have been elected and ordained elders this year?" 
and the characters of John F. Truslow, Bar don H. 
Bradbury, Seth Smith, Cyrus Nutt, Francis A. Conwell, 
James Hill, Joseph S. Barwick, John Talbott, John L. 
Kelly, George W. Stafford, John H. Hall and James 
Crawford were severally examined and passed, and 
they were elected to elders orders. 

The conference proceeded to the examination of 
the characters of eiders, and the characters of Calvin 
W. Ruter, Allen Wiley, Samuel M. Reeves, Amos Bussy, 
Richard Hargraves, James Jones, Enoch G. Wood, Wil- 
liam V. Daniels, Thomas Ray, Emmons Rutledge, Con- 
stant B. Jones, G. C. Beeks and F. C. Holiiday were 
examined and passed. 

On motion of Brother Edd^, conference adjourned 
and was closed with prayer by Brother Havens. 

Tuesday morning, 8 o'clock, October 20th, 1842. 
Conference met pursuant to adjournment, and was 
opened with reading, singing and prayer by Brother 
Wiley, and the minutes were read and approved. The 
Bishop announced the following committees: 

On necessitous cases — Brothers Joseph Marsee, Wil- 
liam V. Daniels, Ancil Beach. 

On Book and Periodical accounts — Ebenezer Pat- 
rick, William W. Hibben, Samuel T. Gillet. 

On Memoirs — C. W. Ruter, Richard Hargrave. 

On Postoffices — Joseph Tarkington, John A. Brouse. 

The Bishop presented a communication from the 
Book Agents at New York, giving an exhibit of the 
state of the Book Concern, which was read by the 
secretary, and filed among the papers of the conference. 

The stewards then called for claims and receipts. 

At the suggestion of the Bishop, conference voted 
to draw upon the Book Concern for eight hundred dol- 
lars, and Brother Goode reported four hundred and 
thirty dollars from the Preachers' Aid Society. 

The candidates for admission into full connection 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 279 

were then called forward, and the questions authorized 
by the discipline were propounded by the Bishop, and 
some remarks made in an impressive manner, after 
the questions had been satisfactorily answered, the 
committee of examination made their report, and the 
characters of Charles W. Miller, Daniel Mclntire, John 
W. Mellander, Robert H. Calvert, Britton Webster, 
Allen Skiilman, Charles B. Davidson, John B. DeMotte, 
Asbury Wilkinson, Thomas A. Goodwin, William C. 
Smith, Eli C. Jones, Hayden Hays and Washington 
Malick were severally examined, and they were ad- 
mitted into full connection and elected to deacons 
orders, and Brother Malick, through his elder, asked 
and obtained a location. The characters of Elam 
Genung, John L. Smith and John Kisling were ex- 
amined and they were admitted into full connection, 
having been previously ordained. 

The character of Daniel S. Elder and Isaac M. 
Stagg were examined and passed, and not being pres- 
ent, they were continued on trial. 

On motion of Brother Wiley, it was resolved that 
when conference adjourned, it adjourned to meet at 
2 o'clock. 

The hour of adjournment having arrived, after 
notices had been given, conference was closed with 
prayer by Brother A. Wood. 

Thursday afternoon, October 20th, 1842. Confer- 
ence met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened 
with reading, singing and prayer by Brother S. C. 
Cooper, and the minutes were read and approved. 

The committee on Bishop Roberts' table expenses 
reported by Brother H. S. Talbott, their chairman, that 
they had agreed upon the sum of four hundred dollars, 
as the amount necessary to meet the above expenses 
for the current year. 

The characters of J. M. Hofer, Morris Brenton, 
Samuel Smith and Samuel K. Young were examined 



280 CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 



and passed, and they were discontinued at their own 
request. 

The character of Nathan S. Worden and William 
Bratton, were examined and passed and they were con- 
tinued on trial. 

The Bishop then invited those admitted into full 
connection to take their seats, and share in the delibera- 
tions of the conference. 

And on motion by Brother Wood, conference ad- 
journed. 

Friday morning, 8 o'clock, October 21st, 1842. Con- 
ference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened 
with reading, singing and prayer, by Brother James 
B. Finley of the Ohio conference, and the minutes were 
read and approved. 

Brother Swormstedt, one of the Western book 
agents, read the exhibit of the Western Book Concern, 
which was filed among the papers of the conference, 
and Brother Swormstedt made an address on the sub- 
ject to the conference. 

Some letters from Arkansas were presented by the 
Bishop, and read by the secretary, after which the 
Bishop made an address, requesting volunteers for 
Arkansas. 

The examination of the characters of elders was 
resumed, and the characters of Samuel T. Gillet, 
Charles Bonner, H. S. Talbott, John Kearns, Anthony 
Robinson, Isaac McElroy, Elijah Whitten, John Daniel, 
George M. Beswick, Isaac Owen, Isaac Crawford, 
Thomas Bartlett, Cornelius Swank, John S. Bayless, 
Zachariah Games, Ezra L. Kemp, Joseph Marsee, M. 
Simpson, William C. Larrabee, S. C. Cooper, John C. 
Smith, Samuel Brenton, Allen D. Beasly, Amasa John- 
son, Jacob Colclares, Ancil Beach, Enoch Wood were 
examined and passed. 

Characters of John A. Decker, John R. Richey were 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 281 



examined and passed and they were placed in a super- 
numerary relation. 

Character of Thomas J. Brown was examined and 
passed, and at his request, he was placed in a superan- 
nuated relation. 

The name of J. L. Belotte being called and some 
explanations being requested, a committee consisting 
of Allen Wiley, James L. Thompson and Thomas J. 
Brown were appointed to examine the case. 

On motion of Brother Ruter it was resolved that 
when conference adjourn it adjourned to meet at 2 
o'clock. 

On motion of Brother A. Wood, conference ad- 
journed and was closed with prayer by Brother Mus- 
grove. 

Friday afternoon, 2 o'clock, October 21st, 1842. 
Conference met pursuant to adjournment and was 
opened by reading, singing and prayer by Brother De- 
Motte, and the minutes were read and approved. 

Brother James B. Finley gave some remarks con- 
cerning the state of the Book Concern and some infor- 
mation as to salaries of agents, editors, etc. 

The character of Eventus Doud was examined and 
passed, his name having been omitted in the list of 
deacons. 

The characters of J. J. Cooper, A. Wood, G. M. 
Boyd, W. Griffith, Hawley B. Beers, Wade Posey, Wm. 
J. Forbes, Burris Westlake, Robert Burns, John H. 
Bruce, A. Eddy, John Kiger, Miltiades Miller, R. S. 
Robinson, Joseph Tarkington, William W. Hibben, 
John W. Sullivan, Lewis Hurbut, Francis H. Cary, 
John Miller, Jacob M. Stallard, William McGinnis, T. 
F. Spillman, E. Patrick, Philip May, George W. Walker, 
James Havens, Wm. H. Goode, Jacob Miller, J. Myers, 
John B. Birt, Lucien W. Berry, George W. Bowers, 
D. F. Stright, Miles Huffaker and E. R. Ames were 
examined and passed. 



232 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



On motion of Brother Holliday, a committee was 
ordered upon periodicals and the chair announced M. 
Simpson, F. C. Holliday and W. M. Dailey as said 
committee. 

The characters of William Knowles, J. C. Harbin 
and James L. Thompson were examined and passed 
and they were continued in a superannuated relation. 
And the character of Henry S. Dane was passed and 
he was placed in a superannuated relation. 

The character of Silas Bawson and James Scott 
were examined and passed and their relation was 
changed from a superannuated to an effective one. 

The character of David Stiver was examined and 
passed, and a location was granted him at his own 
request. 

On motion of Brother Eddy it was resolved that the 
anniversary of the Preachers' Aid Society take place 
on Monday next at 2 o'clock p. m. 

On motion, conference adjourned and was closed 
with the benediction. 

Saturday morning, 8 o'clock, October 22nd, 1842. 
Conference met pursuant to adjournment and was 
opened with reading, singing and prayer by Brother 
Beswick, and the Journals were read and approved. 

The following resolutions were presented, viz : 
" Resolved, that a committee of three to be denominated 
a committee of finance, whose duty it shall be to devise 
and present some plan for more efficiently raising the 
several allowances of the preachers of this conference, 
and report as soon as practicable. S. W. Ruter, E. G. 
Wood." Which committee was ordered and the chair 
appointed C. W. Ruter, E. G. Wood and Joseph Marsee, 
and on motion of Brother Cooper, Brother Hibben was 
added to said committee. 

Resolved, that a committee of three be appointed to 
examine Bishop Heddings' Discourse on Discipline, and 
report on the expediency of following in our adminis- 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 283 

tration the course there recommended. C. W. Ruter, 
F. C. Holliday." Which committee was ordered and 
the chair appointed Alien Wiley, A. Eddy and F. C. 
Holliday as said committee. 

The conference resumed the examination of elders, 
and the characters of Benjamin P. Griffith, William 
Shanks, John A. Brouse, H. Vredenburgh, Asa Beck 
and William H. Smith were examined and passed, and 
they were continued in a superannuated relation. 

The name of William M. Daily having been called, 
on motion, his case was laid over to allow brethern the 
opportunity of conversing with him. 

The name of William M. Fraley having been laid 
over, his character was examined and passed. 

The recommendations of local preachers to deacons 
orders, were now taken up, and the following brethern 
were elected to deacons orders, viz: Parmenius J. 
Rosecronts, from the Madison district ; John W. Willey 
and Pleasant E. Boyse, from the Charlestown district; 
Richard J. Tindall, from the Vincennes district; 
Nathaniel Jones, from the Greencastle district; Hugh 
Wells, from the Crawfordsville district; James Red- 
ding, from the South Bend district; George C. White- 
man, George Guild, William Curtis and Ezra Lank, Jr., 
from the Winchester district; David Alley and Alvah 
Stone, from the Connersville district; James King, 
from the Bloomington district, and Isaac Martindale, 
John Robe and David Crawford, from the Indianapolis 
district ; also William Faulkner, recommended from the 
Greencastle district, and Charles McCarty, recom- 
mended from the Winchester district, were not elected. 

The following persons, duly recommended from 
these several districts, and having certified or testified 
their belief in the doctrines of our Church, and their 
adherenc to our discipline, were elected to elders 
orders, viz: Joseph Wheeler, from the Vincennes dis- 
trict; William Campbell, from the Crawfordsville dis- 



284 CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 



trict ; Townsend Truslow, from the Winchester district ; 
James Taylor and Presley S. Silvoy, from the Con- 
nersville district, and Thomas W. Sargent, from the 
Indianapolis district. 

The numbers were then read in the conference and 
there appeared as follows: 

The time of adjournment having arrived, confer- 
ence was closed with prayer by Brother Patrick. 

Monday morning, October 24th, 1842. Conference 
met pursuant to adjournment and was opened with 
reading, singing and prayer by Brother Burns, and the 
Journals were read and approved. 

Bishop Morris then presented the following list of 
brethern by him ordained on yesterday (the 23) as 
deacons and eiders, viz : 

Deacons : Charles W. Miller, Daniel Mclntyre, 
John W. Mellander, Robert H. Colvert, Brinton Web- 
ster, Allen Skiilman, Charles B. Davidson, John B. De- 
Mo tte, Asbury Wilkenson, Thomas A. Goodwin, Wil- 
liam C. Smith, Eli C. Jones, Hayden Hays, Washington 
Maylick, Pleasant E. Royse, Richard J. Lyndall, David 
Crawford, David Simmons, Stephen Norman, Edward 
White, George C. Whiteman, David Alley, George 
Guild, Ezra Lank, Jr., Elijah Harbour, Alvah Stone 
and Charles Clemmons (colored) 27. 

Elders: John F. Truslow, Barden H. Bradbury, 
Seth Smith, Cyrus Nutt, Francis A. Conwell, James 
Hill, Joseph S. Boswick, John L. Kelly, George W. 
Stafford, John H. Hull, James Crawford, Silas Rawson, 
Townsend Truslow, James Taylor and Presley S. Sil- 
vey, 15. Total, 42. 

Brother Ruter, chairman of the financial committee 
reported, which report was adopted and filed among 
the conference reports. 

Brother Swormstedt addressed the conference on 
the subject of the Book Concern, and reported sever- 



CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 285 



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286 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



ally, cases for conference action, which were disposed 
of as follows, viz: 

The claims on Robert Johnson and S. H. Rogers 
were advised to be considered by the agents as lost 
debts. 

The claims on Jonas L. Belotte and Amasa Johnson 
were referred to a committee consisting of Brothers 
Gillet, Games and Scott. 

The claims on Dr. Ogiesby were referred to the 
preacher in Third street charge, Madison, and the 
claims on J. Williams were referred to the preacher on 
Martinsville circuit ; Brother Balue referred to preach- 
er on Ft. Wayne; Brother Beharrals to preacher at 
New Albany; T. J. Doyles' account referred to preacher 
on Charlestown circuit, and the secretary was directed 
to furnish Brother Swormstedt a copy of these reso- 
lutions. 

A collection was now taken up to defray the ex- 
penses of Bishop Roberts' portrait, and on motion of 
Brother Wiley, the portrait was ordered to be placed in 
the college chapel immediately behind the rostrum, and 
covered with a suitable cloth, and Brother S. C. Cooper 
was appointed an agent to carry the resolution into 
effect. 

The chair appointed M. Simpson, J. S. Bayless and 
E. Patrick as a committee to write a pastoral address 
as alluded to in the financial plan. The conference 
ordered the printing of one thousand copies of the 
financial plan, and F. C. Holliday and Thomas A. Good- 
win were appointed said committee. 

On motion of Brother Goode, William V. Daniel 
was appointed on the committee on periodicals in place 
of M. Simpson. 

Brother William M. Daily's name being called and a 
charge having been preferred against him, on motion 
of Brother S. C. Cooper, the matter was referred to a 



I 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 287 



committee, and Brother Thompson, James Jones, 
Daniel DeMotte, William V. Daniel and Joseph Marsee. 

The hour of adjournment having arrived, confer- 
ence was closed with prayer by Brother Scott. 

Tuesday morning, October 25th, 1842. Conference 
met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with 
reading, singing and prayer by Brother Brouse; and 
the minutes were read and approved. 

A communication was received from Henry Bren- 
ton, praying for redress, which was read and laid upon 
the table, conference declining any action in the 
premises. 

Brothers Sebon and James, agents of the Bible 
cause, were introduced to conference, and on sugges- 
tion of Brother James, a committee was appointed con- 
sisting of Brothers Wiley, Brown and Ames, to confer 
upon the Bible cause and report to this conference. 

The committee on the case of Brother William M. 
Daily reported that: "After having the persons re- 
ferred to, consisting of Brothers Cooper, Hargrave, 
Holliday, Hibben, Hays, Cary, Stiver, Goodwin and 
John Daniel, are of opinion that no ground of im- 
peachment whatever exists in reference to the case of 
Brother William M. Daily, and therefore unanimously 
recommend that his character be passed without cen- 
sure by this conference. James L. Thompson, Presi- 
dent; J. Marsee, J. Jones, D. DeMott, William V. 
Daniel, Secretary. Which report was adopted, and his 
relation was changed from superannuated to effective. 

The committee on Brother Belotte's case reported 
as follows : That after hearing the testimony of sev- 
eral brethern, they have no evidence to convince them 
that Brother Belotte has in any way wronged the in- 
terpreter employed by him. 

As it .regards some other matters, the committee 
find themselves in an embarassing and painful condi- 
tion. If there be no mistake in the understanding and 



288 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



memories of Brothers Cooper and Beswick, the com- 
mittee is led to the conclusion that Brother Belotte 
did obtain an additional appropriation of missionary 
funds at the Indianapolis conference by false represen- 
tations, in stating that he had paid the wages and ex- 
penses of the interpreter out of his own salary. All of 
which is respectfully submitted. 

ALLEN WILEY, 
Chairman Committee. 
Centerville, October 22nd, 1842. 
J, L. Thompson, T. J. Brown. 

Testimony was then produced, and Brother Belotte 
made his defence. (See minutes kept among confer- 
ence papers.) After Brother Belotte retired, the re- 
port of the committee was accepted and filed among 
the conference papers. After some discussion, the fol- 
lowing motion was made by Brother Johnson: "Re- 
solved, that in the opinion of this conference the mis- 
sionary committee were deceived in making the addi- 
tional appropriation in Brother Beiotte's case, but that 
he did not willfully or intentionally deceive them," 
which was adopted. Whereupon, on motion of Brother 
Holliday, it was resolved, that Brother Belotte be re- 
quired to refund the sum of $42.50 to the Missionary 
Society, that being the sum collected by him while on 
the Miami Mission. And on motion, his character 
passed, and he was located at his own request. 

On motion, resolved, that in the decision on Brother 
Beiotte's case, this conference did not in the least de- 
gree, discredit the testimony of Brothers Cooper or 
Beswick. 

On motion of Brother Miller, the decision of this 
conference in the case of Brother Griffith was recon- 
sidered, and his relation was changed from superan- 
nuated to effective. 

On motion of Brother Havens, the case of Brother 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 289 



Scott was reconsidered and he was placed on a super- 
numerary relation. 

On motion of Brother Burns, Brother Ockerman 
obtained a location at his own request. 

The committee on the Bible reported, and after an 
eloquent and impressive address by Brother Janes, 
their report was adopted and filed among the papers. 

On motion of Brother Ruter, it was resolved that 
when conference adjourn, it will adjourn to meet at 
half past one o'clock to take up the first question of 
the minutes. 

On motion, resolved, that the secretary furnish a 
copy of the resolution upon the Bible cause to the 
corresponding secretary of the Bible Society at New 
York. 

The time having arrived, conference adjourned. 

Tuesday afternoon, October 25th, 1842. Confer- 
ence met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened 
with reading and prayer by Brother Kisling, and the 
minutes were read and approved. 

The first question of the minutes was taken up, 
and the following persons were properly recommended 
and admitted, viz: 

Hozier J. Durbin from the Madison district. 

Pleasant E. Boyse from the Charlestown district. 

Elijah Lilleston from the Vincennes district. 

Philip J. Beswick from the Greencastle district. 

Jacob Cozad from the Lafayette district. 

Nelson Green from the South Bend district. 

John P. Jones from the Fort Wayne district. 

Arthur Badley from the Winchester district. 

John P. Lansey from the Connersville district. 

Isaac J. Crouch from the Indianapolis district. 

John S. Winchester from the Madison district. 

John H. Clippinger from the Vincennes district. 

Henry C. Benson from the Greencastle district. 

William Anderson from the Winchester district. 



(19) 



290 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Samuel P. Crawford from the Connersville district. 
Thomas M. Eddy from the Connersville district. 
William G. Stonex from the Madison district. 
John P. Parrott from the Vincennes district. 
Oliver H. P. Ash from the Greencastle district. 
F. F. Sheldon from the Indianapolis district. 
Elisha W. Cadwell from the Madison district. 
Greenlee H. McLaughlin from the Greencastle dis- 
trict. 

James Webb from the Connersville district. 

Thomas C. Crawford from the Greencastle district. 

Samuel B. F. Crain from the Connersville district. 

William Shreck from the Connersville district. 

John Robinson from the Lafayette district and 
Samuel Hicks from the Madison district were not ad- 
mitted. J. F. Robe, an applicant for readmission, was 
not received. 

On motion of Brother Ruter, the presiding elder has 
leave to employ Brother Hicks if necessary. 

On motion of Brother S. C. Cooper, the memorial 
of H. Brenton was placed in the hands of the elders of 
Indianapolis district, to be returned to him with the 
reasons why it could not be entertained. 

On motion, conference adjourned and was closed 
with prayer by Brother Griffith. 

Wednesday morning, October 28th, 1842. Confer- 
ence met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened 
with reading, singing and prayer by Brother Spillman, 
and the minutes were read and approved. 

The Bishop then announced the following commit- 
tee of examination for the following year, viz : 

On the Bible — Allen Wiley. 

Wesley's Sermons — James Havens. 

Fletcher's Appeal — James Jones. 

Discipline — C. W. Ruter. 

Watson's Life of Wesley — Aaron Wood. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 291 



The Doctrinal part of Watson's Institutes — A. 
Eddy. 

Ruter's Church History — M. Simpson. '\ 
English Grammar and Composition — E. Patrick. 
Geography — C. Nutt. 

The stewards then made their report, by which it 
appears that the whole amount of claims are $37,- 
267.36. The whole amount of receipts $22,362.58 and 
the deficit $14,904.78. That there had been raised to 
meet the deficiency as follows: Fifth collection, 
$202.51; Book Concern, $800; Chartered Fund, $61; 
Total, $1,063.51. And the dividends were distributed 
according to their report, after it had been adopted 
by the conference. 

Which report is filed among the papers of confer- 
ence. On motion, the balance in the hands of the 
stewards, after deducting incidental expenses, be ap- 
propriated to meet the printing of the financial plan. 
On motion, Brother S. C. Cooper was appointed to 
correspond with Sister Barnes and endeavor to procure 
the relinquishment of the claim of her child in favor of 
the debt due the Book Concern. 

The following resolutions were presented and 
adopted, viz: 

"Resolved, that the members of this conference and 
the preachers on trial be required to procure from the 
recording stewards of their circuits and stations a cer- 
tificate of their amount of quarterage and receipts and 
hand it to the stewards of conference on first day of 
session and that the stewards be requested to make out 
their report from said certificates. 

"Resolved that the presiding elder be required to 
see that the above resolution is carried into effect in 
their districts respectfully. S. C. Cooper, C. Nutt." 

Joseph F. Randolph, recommended from Green- 
ville circuit, North Ohio conference, was admitted into 
traveling connection. 



292 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



The committee on book claims reported as follows : 
"Resolved, that the claim of the Book Concern against 
Brother J. L. Belotte be placed in the hands of the 
preacher in charge, within whose bounds he may reside, 
and that he immediately secure the claim by mortgage 
or otherwise, and that Brother Belotte be allowed until 
the 30th of April, 1843, to pay one half, and until the 
next annual conference to pay the residue of said claim. 
Which was adopted. 

Resolved that the account of Brother A. Johnson be 
placed in the hands of his presiding elder, and that he 
be expected to pay one half of the claim against him 
by the 31st of January, 1843, and the residue one year 
from that time, and in event of failure, to pay the first 
instalment the elder have the claim secured by mort- 
gage or otherwise, which report was adopted. 

The following report was presented and adopted, 
viz: The committee to whom was referred the dis- 
course of Bishop Hedding on the administration of 
discipline, have had the same under consideration, and 
report that although they have some small objections 
to some parts of it, yet as a whole, they regard it as a 
safe directory in the administration of the discipline, 
and would recommend it to the conference for that 
purpose. 

The report of the visitors of the university was 
read and adopted, and filed among the conference 
papers. And conference proceeded to elect nine visit- 
ors for the ensuing year. And on motion of Brother 
J. C. Smith, a plurality should determine the election. 
And after the vote was taken, a committee (of three) 
consisting of C. Nutt were appointed to count the votes 
while the conference proceeded to business. On mo- 
tion, the Bishop was requested to promote Brother S. C. 
Cooper, an agent of the university, for the ensuing 
year. On motion, Mr. John M. Allison of Greencastle, 
was elected a trustee in the university in conformity 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 293 



with the provisions of the charter. On motion of 
Brothers Eddy and Ruter it was resolved by this con- 
ference, that we use our best endeavors in our different 
fields of labor to increase the number of suitable stu- 
dents in the Indiana Asbury University. 

The report of the mission committee was adopted 
and filed among the papers of conference, and on mo- 
tion of Brother Wood, W. H. Goode was appointed on 
said committee in the place of Brother Brown. 

On motion, conference proceeded to fix by nomina- 
tion, the place of holding conference next year, and 
New Albany, Madison, Indianapolis, Crawfordsville 
and Charlestown were nominated, and Crawfordsville 
was selected, and the Bishop announced October 18th, 
1843, as the time of said conference, 

On motion of Brothers Bayless and Holliday, it was 
resolved, that a committee be appointed to inquire 
whether any of the ministers who have officiated in 
either of the churches during the present session of 
our conference, have indulged in bitter uncharitable 
and unchristian denunciatitons of the particular tenets 
of sister evangelical churches." And the chair ap- 
pointed J. S. Bayless, F. C. Holliday and J. Marsee. 

The stewards presented an additional report, which 
was adopted. 

The following resolutions were offered and adopted, 
viz: "Resolved, that Friday, the 30th of December 
next, be set apart as a day of fasting or abstinence and 
prayer, within the bounds of this conference, and that 
we recommend to the people of our respective charges 
to commence on that day a four days' meeting, and 
that such meeting may be protracted when circum- 
stances will justify it, and also that the twenty-fifth of 
the same month be observed as a day of thanksgiving, 
and that each preacher be requested to preach one 
sermon on the occasion. William V. Daniel, John W. 
Brouse." 



294 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



"Resolved, that during this conference year we will 
endeavor at the close of each day in the twilight, espe- 
cially to remember our brethern of the Indiana confer- 
ence at a throne of grace, praying each for the others, 
that we may be preserved from evil, and that we may 
greatly increase in knowledge, in holiness, and in use- 
fulness, and be preserved blameless with the coming 
of our Lord Jesus Christ. C. W. Ruter, A. Eddy." 

The report of the committee on book and periodicals 
was accepted and filed. 

"Resolved, that the payment of the balance due on 
the bill for Bishop Roberts' portrait be deferred till 
next conference, and Brothers Cooper and Nutt be a 
committee to appropriate the amount collected. G. M. 
Beswick, George W. Ames." Adopted. 

The committee on periodicals made their report, 
which was adopted and filed among conference papers, 
and the following resolution was adopted : "Resolved, 
that we consider it the duty of each minister in this 
conference to exert himself to sustain our periodicals 
generally, and especially the Western Advocate and 
Ladies Repository." 

The committee to count the votes for visitors to 
the university reported the following persons elected, 
viz: C. W. Ruter, L. W. Berry, A. Eddy, W. H. 
Goode, A. Wiley, G. M. Beswick, J. C. Smith and S. T. 
Gillett, and that James Havens and Aaron Wood were 
a tie, whereupon conference elected James Havens. 

Resolved, that the money raised to make a life 
director in the Bible Society be so applied, as to make 
that itinerant preacher a life member who has traveled 
the greatest number of years in the state of Indiana, 
E. Patrick." Adopted. 

The committee on division of the conference re- 
ported, and the report was accepted, and the resolu- 
tions appended were disposed of as follows : 

Resolved, that it is expedient to divide the Indiana 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 295 



conference. Adopted. Resolved, that the National 
road be the line, and that all towns from the state line, 
east to Indianapolis, on this road, be included in the 
Northern conference, and that Indianapolis, and all the 
towns west to the state line, be included in the South- 
ern division of the conference." The first part as to 
National road being the line, adopted, the second post- 
poned with directions to presiding elders to prepare 
two plans. Resolved, that the Southern conference be 
called the South Indiana Conference, and the northern, 
North Indiana Conference. Adopted. Resolved, that 
the superannuated preachers, widows and orphans be 
divided between the conferences, according to the 
numerical strength. Adopted. 

Resolved, that the board of trustees of the univer- 
sity be divided into two classes: the first twelve; the 
second thirteen; and the first hold the same relation 
to the North Indiana Conference as the whole board 
does at the present time to the Indiana conference ; and 
the second class hold the same relation to the South 
Indiana Conference. Adopted. Resolved, that the 
visitors to the Asbury University be appointed five in 
one conference, and four in the other, alternately ; the 
highest number being first appointed by the South 
Indiana Conference. Adopted. 

Resolved, that the preachers along the National 
road, be requested to arrange their work during the 
present year, that the societies near the line on each 
side may fall in case of a division into the separate 
conferences. Adopted. 

Resolved, that the managers of the Preachers' Aid 
Society be divided into classes of four and five, and 
that the vacancies in the former be supplied by the 
North, and in the latter by the South Indiana Confer- 
ence, according to the provisions of the charter." 
Postponed. 

Resolved that the proceeds of the Preachers' Aid 



296 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Society be divided between the conferences in propor- 
tion to the members of conference in each division." 
Adopted. 

The pastoral address was presented and read and 
the following resolutions adopted by a rising vote: 
"Resolved, that the addresses be adopted by the confer- 
ence signed by the president and countersigned by the 
secretary, and forwarded to Cincinnati with a request 
to the editors of the Western Christian Advocate and 
German Apologist, to publish it at their earliest con- 
venience. C. W. Ruter, Allen Wiley." 

Resolved, that the presiding elder of the Green- 
castle district and secretary of the conference be a 
committee on the distribution of the missionary debt, 
and that they make the distribution according to the 
numerical strength, and that they report through the 
Western Christian Advocate, as soon as possible." 
Adopted. 

"Resolved, that the preachers raise the respective 
sums assigned them by the 4th of July, 1843, and re- 
port the same to the assistant treasurer at Cincinnati. 
J. A. Brouse, J. W. Sullivan." Adopted. 

"Resolved, that this conference request each 
preacher in charge to inquire into the state of our 
church property relative to deeds and trustees, and 
that they be required to report to a committee, to be 
appointed at the next conference." Which was adopted. 

On motion, resolved that when conference adjourns 
it adjourn to meet at 2 o'clock p. m. in the new meet- 
ing house in this town. d W. R/uter, A. Eddy. 
Adopted. 

Resolved, that the secretary of this conference be 
directed to forward any of the papers of this confer- 
ence (at his discretion) to the Western Christian Ad- 
vocate for publication. Allen Wiley, A. Eddy. 
Adopted. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 297 



The time of adjournment having arrived, confer- 
ence was closed with prayer by Brother Havens. 

Wednesday afternoon, October 26th, 1843. Confer- 
ence met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened 
with reading, singing and prayer, by Brother H. S. 
Talbott, and the Journals were read and approved. 

Resolved, that a vote of thanks be respectfully 
tendered to the citizens of Centerville for their kind 
hospitalities to the members of the Indiana conference 
during its present session, and that this expression be 
publicly announced by the preacher who shall next 
Sabbath officiate in this place. C. W. Ruter, A. Eddy. 
Which was unanimously adopted by a rising vote. 

The committee appointed to inquire in reference 
to the preaching during this conference, made a verbal 
report, and were discharged from the further con- 
sideration of the subject. 

Some resolutions in reference to the Sabbath School 
Union were now taken up and adopted as follows, viz : 

Resolved, that the secretary of this conference be 
instructed to forward the Sunday school report of this 
conference to the secretary of the Sunday School 
Union, of the Methodist Episcopal Church at New 
York. 

Resolved that Augustus Eddy be the vice president 
of the Sunday School Union of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church for the Indiana Conference. 

Resolved that we recommend to all our Sunday 
schools to take the Sunday School Advocate, published 
by the book agents at New York. 

Resolved that we recommend to all our Sunday 
schools to take a quarterly collection averaging a penny 
per quarter for each member of the school in aid of the 
funds of the said union, and forward the amount to 
the vice president for this conference. 

The committee to disburse the funds of the Preach- 



298 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



ers* Aid Society, report they have distributed as fol- 



lows : 

H. Vredenburgh $100.00 

C. Bonner 100.00 

William H. Smith 75.00 

John Kearns 25.00 

E. Whitten 25.00 

H. S. Talbott 65.00 

Thomas Ray 10.00 



Which report was read and adopted. 

Resolved by this conference that the managers of 
the Preachers' Aid Society be respectfully requested 
not to employ any agent for the ensuing year. S. C. 
Cooper, A. Eddy. Which was not adopted. 

Prayer by the Bishop was then offered, the ap- 
pointments read, and on motion, Warren Griffith was 
granted a location at his own request, and conference 
was closed with the benediction. 

THOMAS A. MORRIS. 

M. SIMPSON, Secretary. 

APPOINTMENTS FOR 1842. 

Madison District. 

C. W. Ruter, Presiding Elder. 
Madison — 

Wesley Chapel — Augustus Eddy. 

Third Street— William M. Daily. 
Paris — William Maginnis. 
Vernon — Lewis Hurlburt. 
Canaan — Hayden Hays. John S. Winchester. 
Vevay — James Crawford, H. J. Durbin. 
Rising Sun — John W. Sullivan, Silas Rawson. 
Lawrenceburg — Amos Bussey, Thomas M. Eddy. 
Wilmington — James Jones, Milton Mahen. 
Lawrenceburg German Mission — George A. Breu- 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 299 



Charlestown District. 

E. G. Wood, Presiding Elder. 
New Albany — 

Wesley Chapel — G. C. Beeks. 

Centenary Church — R. S. Robinson. 
Corydon — Thomas Ray, A. Wilkerson. 
Greenville — Emmonds Rutledge. 
Salem — Charles Romer, C. Mapes. 
Leesville — Thomas E. Spillman. 
Brownstown — Seth Smith. 
Lexington — John Kiger, J. Corwine. 
Charlestown — C. B. Jones, J. Whiteman. 
Jeffersonville — William V. Daniel. 

Evansville District. 

H. S. Talbott, Presiding Elder. 

Evansville — John Kearns. 

Mt. Vernon — A. Robinson, J. H. Clippenger. 

Cynthiana — A. B. Nesbit, E. Lilleston. 

Princeton — Elijah Whitten. 

Petersburg — Eli C. Jones. 

Booneville — William Bratton. 

Rockport — D. S. Elder, P. I. Beswick. 

Rome — Edward Oldham. 

Paoli — Peter R. Guthrie. 

Evansville German Mission — Peter Schmucker, 

Bedford District. 

John Miller, Presiding Elder. 
Vincennes Station — Samuel Reed. 
Bruceviiie — John A. Decker. 
Washington — John Talbott. 
Orleans — George W. Walker. 
Bedford — Williamson Terril. 
Springville — James R. Williams. 
Bloomington — Isaac Owen. 



300 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Richland Mission — Wesley Dorsey. 
Carlisle— John Daniel. 
New Lebanon — Stephen Ravenscroft. 
Brown Mission — Daniel Mclntyre. 

Greencastle District. 

G. M. Beswick, Presiding Elder. 

Greencastle — Ebenezer Patrick, J. M. Stallard. 

Putnam ville — John B. Birt. 

Russellville— C. Swank, Thos. S. Crawford. 

Rockville — George W. Ames. 

Terre Haute — Joseph Marsee. 

Prairieton — Ezra L. Kemp, John R. Tansey. 

Rossville — Isaac Crawford. 

Spencer — Philip May, E. Genung. 

Martins ville — John B. DeMott, Jas. Scott, sup. 

Mooresville — Asa Beck, H. C. Benson. 

Indiana Asbury University — M. Simpson, Presi- 
dent; Wm. C. Larrabee and Cyrus Nutt, Professors; 
S. C. Cooper, Agent; E. R. Ames, Missionary Secre- 
tary. 

Crawfordsville District. 

J. C. Smith, Presiding Elder. 
Crawfordsville — Samuel Brenton. 
Ladoga — Richard Hargrave. 
Conville — J. White, E. W. Caldwell. 
Covington — J. J. Cooper, D. DeMott. 
Newtown — J. S. Barwick, Jno. W. Parrot. 
Augusta — D. F. Stright. 
Newport — Thomas Bartlett. 
Alamo Mission — J. B. Mershon. 
Perrysville — Amasa Johnson. 

Lafayette District. 

C. M. Holliday, Presiding Elder. 
Lafayette Station — Hawley B. Beers. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 301 



Dayton — Allen D. Beasley, J. N. Newland. 
Delphi — Draper Chipman, J. Cozad. 
Logansport — Wm. Wilson. 
Frankfort — Jacob Colclazer. 
Lebanon — John Edwards. 
Rensselaer Mission — Geo. W. Stafford. 
Monticello — B. T. Griffith. 
Williamsport — H. N. Barnes. 

Independence — Wm. M. Fraley, Samuel B. F. 
Crane. 

Pittsburg Mission — R. Rowley. 

South Bend District. 

Wm. H. Goode, Presiding Elder. 

South Bend — Zachariah Games, W. L. Huffman. 

Mishawaka — E. Holstock. 

Goshen — Enoch Wood, J. M. Stagg. 

Lagrange — W. J. Forbes, J. C. Medsker. 

Laporte — Aaron Wood, one to be supplied. 

Valparaiso — Wade Posey. 

Yellow River Mission — Eventus Doud. 

Warsaw — Orange V. Lemon, P. E. Royce. 

Steuben — E. S. Blue, John P. Jones. 

Fort Wayne District. 

B. Westlake, Presiding Elder. 
Fort Wayne— Geo. M. Boyd. 
Decatur — J. Sparks. 
Auburn — Allen Skillman. 
Rochester — Ancil Beach, Nelson Greene. 
Winnemeck Mission — Lealdes Forbes. 
Peru — Wm. F. Wheeler, Wm. G. Stonex. 
Eel River— Charles W. Miller. 
Upper Wabash Mission — Robert H. Calvert. 
Huntington Mission — Nathan S. Warden, John 
Richey, sup. 



302 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Winchester District. 

Robert Burns, Presiding Elder. 

Winchester — Barton H. Bradbury, Arthur Badly. 

Portland — J. W. Bradshaw. 

Munceytown — John H. Hull. 

Granville — Hezekiah Smith. 

Marion — J. S. Donaldson, Wm. Anderson. 

Andersontown— Brinton Webster. 

Pipe Creek Mission — Samuel C. Swayze. 

Bluffton— H. H. Badly. 

Newcastle — Chas. B. Davidson. 

Cambridge and Dublin — John L. Smith. 

Connersville District. 

A. Wiley, Presiding Elder. 

Connersville — James Hill, J. Bruner. 

Centre ville — Joseph Tarkington, Thos. A. Goodwin. 

Richmond — Francis A. Conwell. 

Liberty — Wm. W. Hibben, L. M. Reeves. 

Brookville— Miltiades Miller, Oliver H. P. Ash. 

Fairfield — Wm. Morrow. 

Greensburg — Fernandes C. Holliday. 

Milroy — John H. Bruce, Samuel P. Crawford. 

Milford — Landy Havens. 

Versailles — Francis H. Carey, F. F. Sheldon. 

Indianapolis District. 

James Havens, Presiding Elder. 
Indianapolis — 

Western Charge — Lucien W. Berry. 

Eastern Charge — John S. Bayless. 
Noblesville — John L. Kelly. 
Westfield— John V. R. Miller. 
Franklin — Miles Huffaker. 
Shelbyville — Jacob Myers, James Webb. 
Rushville — Wm. C. Smith, A. Paris. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



303 



Knightstown — George Havens, G. H. McLaughlin. 
Greenfield — George W. Bowers. 
Pendleton — J. Miller, I. J. Crouch. 
Columbus — John W. Melander, J. D. Templin. 
William Shreck, transferred to Missouri Confer- 
ence. 

Isaac McElroy, J. F. Truslow, David Crawford and 
J. F- Randolph, transferred to Arkansas Conference. 
J. Kisling, transferred to Ohio Conference. 

Journal of the Twelfth Annual Session of the In- 
diana Conference, began and held in the Old School 
Presbyterian Church in Crawfordsville, October 18, 
1843. 

Wednesday morning, 9 o'clock. Conference met 
pursuant to appointment and was opened by Bishop 
Andrew by singing and prayer. 

The list was then called by M. Simpson, the secre- 
tary of the last conference, and the following mem- 
bers were found to be present, viz. : C. W. Ruter, A. 
Eddy, Wm. M. Daily, Wm. M. Ginnes, Lewis Hurlbutt, 
Hayden Hays, James Crawford, John W. Sullivan, 
Silas Rawson, Samuel T. Gillet, Amos Bussey, James 
Jones, E. G. Wood, G. L. Beeks, Thomas Ray, Emmons 
Rutledge, Charles Bonner, Seth Smith, John Kiger, C. 
B. Jones, H. S. Talbott, John Kearns, Anthony Rob- 
inson, Elijah Whitten, Eli C. Jones, Edward Oldham, 
Wm. W. Hibben, J. A. Brouse, Wm. Morrow, John H. 
Bruce, Landy Havens, Francis H. Cary, Peter R. 
Guthrie, John Miller, Samuel Reed, John Talbott, 
George W. Walker, John R. Williams, Wesley Dorsey, 
John Daniel, Stephen Ravenscroft, Daniel Mclntyre, 
G. M. Beswick, Ebenezer Patrick, J. M. Stallard, John 
B. Birt, Joseph Marsee, Ezra L. Kemp, Isaac Craw- 
ford, Philip May, Elam Jenung, John B. De Motte, 
Asa Beck, M. Simpson, C. Nutt, W. C. Larabee, S. C. 
Cooper, E. R. Ames, James Havens, L. W. Berry, J. 



304 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 

C. Harbin, J. S. Bayless, John L. Kelly, J. C. Smith, 
Samuel Brenton, J. White, Daniel DeMott, Thomas 
Bartlett, Amasa Johnson, C. M. Holliday, Allen D. 
Beasley, Draper Chipman, Jacob Colclazer, John Ed- 
wards, W. L. Huffman, E. Holstock, Aaron Wood, 
Burris Westlake, Arred Beach, Charles W. Miller, 
Robert H. Colvert, Robert Burns, J. S. Donaldson, 
John L. Smith, Allen Wiley, James Hill, Joseph Tark- 
ington, Thomas A. Goodwin, Francis A. Conwell, J. 
V. R. Miller, Jacob Myers, Wm. C. Smith, George 
Havens, J. Miller. 

The conference then proceeded to elect a secretary 
by ballot, and upon counting the votes, M. Simpson 
having received a majority of all the votes, was de- 
clared duly elected. 

On motion of Brother Wiley the hour of assembling 
was fixed at eight o'clock in the morning and the time 
of adjournment at 12. 

On motion of Brother Ames, Brothers J. C. Smith, 
Samuel Brenton and Richard Hargraves were ap- 
pointed a committee to select preachers during con- 
ference and superintend the services of public worship. 

The conference then proceeded to the election of 
three stewards by ballot, and the votes being received, 
on motion of Brother Eddy, the election was decided 
by a plurality of votes, whereupon Brothers S. C. 
Cooper, W. V. Daniel and C. Nutt were declared duly 
elected. 

The conference proceeded in the same manner to 
elect three stewards to disburse the funds received 
from the Preachers' Aid Society, in accordance with 
the provisions of the constitution of said society, 
whereupon Brothers E. R. Ames, A. Eddy and L. W. 
Berry were declared duly elected. 

On motion of Brother Ames a committee was ap- 
pointed on a communication from book agent at New 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA, 305 



York and S. P. Gillet, E. Patrick and J. A. Brouse, 
were appointed said committee. 

On motion of Brother Ruter, the by-laws of the 
first session of this conference were read and adopted 
by consent, together with the rule in reference to 
closed doors. 

On motion of Brother Edwards, the house fixed their 
bar the whole lower floor except the rear seat. 

The bishop laid before the conference a communi- 
cation from the New York Conference, in reference 
to certain amendments of our general rules, which 
having been read by the secretary, on motion of 
Brother Ames was laid upon the table. 

On motion, conference appointed Brothers Samuel 
Brenton, James Jones and George W. Ames a com- 
mittee to receive the report from the preachers on the 
subject of church property. 

On motion of Brother Ames, Professor Larabee was 
requested to deliver an address on education on next 
Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock. 

The bishop also laid before the conference an ex- 
hibit of the state of the New York book concern, which 
was read by the secretary and filed among the confer- 
ence papers. 

The bishop addressed the conference a few minutes 
in a very interesting and impressive manner, in ref- 
erence to the duty of the conference to preserve purity 
of doctrine and administration of discipline. 

The second question of the minutes was taken up, 
viz. : Who remain on trial ? And the characters of 
H. J. Durbin, Elijah Lilliston, Philip J. Beswick, 
Jacob Cozad, Nelson Green, John P. Jones, Arthur 
Badley, John R. Tarsey, Isaac J. Crouch, John S. Win- 
chester, John H. Clippinger, Wm. Anderson, Samuel 
P. Crawford, Thomas M. Eddy, Wm. G. Stonex, John 
W. Parrot, Oliver H. P. Ash, F. F. Sheldon, Elisha W. 

(20) 



306 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Cadwell and G. H. McLaughlin, were examined and 
passed, and they were continued on trial. 

On motion of Brother Wiley, it was resolved that 
when conference adjourns it adjourns to meet at 2 
o'clock, to take up the resolutions on the subject of the 
division of the conference. 

James Webb was discontinued on account of ill 
health, and Thomas C. Crawford was not continued on 
trial. 

Some notices were given and conference was closed 
with the benediction by the bishop. 

Wednesday afternoon, 2 o'clock. Conference met 
pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with sing- 
ing and prayer by Brother Wiley. 

The subject of the division of conference having 
been made the order of the day for this afternoon, the 
secretary read the resolutions of last conference on 
this subject, whereupon Brother Beswick presented 
the following resolution: "Resolved that in the opin- 
ion of this conference, it is inexpedient to divide at this 
time," which resolution was lost. 

On motion of Brother A. Wood the second reso- 
lution of last year's report was called up, viz.: "Re- 
solved that the National Road be the line, and that all 
the towns from the state line east to Indianapolis on 
this road be included in the Northern Conference, and 
that Indianapolis and all the towns west to the state 
line be included in the southern division of the con- 
ference." Brother J. C. Smith moved on referring 
the towns east of Indianapolis to the south and In- 
dianapolis and those west to the north, which was 
lost by a vote of 54 to 56. 

A motion was made by Brother Wood that all the 
towns on the road be given to the south, which was 
lost. An amendment was made by Brother Bayless 
that the two charges in Indianapolis be so divided that 
the eastern charge be in the northern and the west- 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 307 



ern in the southern conference. Which was carried. 
On motion the town of Terre Haute was placed in 
the Northern Conference. Brother Beeks then moved 
a reconsideration of the vote dividing Indianapolis, 
which was lost; when after considerable discussion 
the resolution passed in the following form: Re- 
solved that the National Road be the line, and that the 
eastern charge in Indianapolis, with all the towns east, 
be placed in the Northern Conference, and that the 
western charge in Indianapolis, with all the towns 
west, be placed in the Southern Conference except 
Terre Haute, which is placed in the Northern Confer- 
ence. 

The eighth resolution respecting division was then 
adopted as follows, viz. : Resolved that the managers 
of the Preachers' Aid Society be divided into classes 
of four and five, and that the vacancies in the former 
be supplied by the north, and in the latter by the South 
Indiana Conference, according to the provisions of the 
charter. 

On motion of Brother Wiley the stewards are re- 
quested to divide the claimants among the superannu- 
ated preachers, widows and orphans equally between 
the two conferences. 

On motion of Brother Cooper the name of the 
southern division is to be called the Indiana Confer- 
ence, and the name of the northern division the North 
Indiana conference. 

On motion of Brother Wiley the Southern Confer- 
ence shall fill all vacancies in the trustees of the In- 
diana Asbury University until the number of thirteen 
shall be filled, and then each conference shall fill its 
own vacancies. 

After some notices were given, conference was 
closed by the bishop with the benediction. 

Thursday morning, October 19, 1843. The con- 



308 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



ference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened 
with singing and prayer by Brother H. S. Talbott. 

The roll was called and the journals read and ap- 
proved, and on motion of Brother Wiley the calling of 
the list was hereafter dispensed with. Brother Cooper, 
from the committee on the bishop's portrait, made 
a report, stating the entire expense of painting, fram- 
ing and curtaining said portrait to be $66.58, and 
that the amount paid was $51.40, leaving a balance of 
$15.18 unpaid, and asking that a collection be taken 
up forthwith to defray said amount, which report was 
accepted and filed among the conference papers. A 
collection was taken up, and on motion of Brother 
Ames the surplus, if any, shall be appropriated to the 
missionary cause. Upon counting the funds, the col- 
lection amounted to $18.72. Surplus $3.54. 

Brother Cooper, from a committee appointed to 
correspond with the widow of Brother Barnes as to 
appropriating the dividend made to her child, to the 
payment of Brother Barnes* book debt, reported that 
she declined allowing said appropriation; which re- 
port was accepted and filed away. 

The third question was now taken up, viz. : "Who 
are admitted into full connection?" and the candidates 
having been called forward were addressed by the 
bishop at some length in reference to ministerial char- 
acter and duty, and were examined according to the 
form prescribed in the discipline, and their characters 
were severally examined and passed, and they were 
admitted into full connection and elected to deacons' 
orders as follows, viz. : Charles Mapes, Alfred Nes- 
bet, James Corwin, Jacob Bruner, Samuel C. Swayze, 
Milton Mahen, Horatio N. Barnes, Orange V. Lemon, 
Elijah S. Blue, John C. Medsker, Jacob Whiteman, 
Daniel S. Elder and Isaac M. Stagg. 

The characters of James H. Newland, Jesse Sparks, 
Henry H. Badley and Wm. Bratton were examined and 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 309 



passed, and they were admitted into full connection, 
Brother Terrall being already an elder, and Brother 
Bradshaw having been two years a deacon, was elected 
to elder's orders. 

James D. Templin and Hezekiah Smith were dis- 
continued at their own request and Absalom Paris 
was dropped, having been excommunicated from the 
church. ' 

Pleasant E. Boyse, a probationer for the first year, 
was discontinued. The following resolution was pre- 
sented: "Resolved that the preachers in charge of 
districts, circuits and stations be, and they are hereby 
required to conduct all church trials with closed doors, 
and that no person who is not a member of the church 
shall be present, unless introduced as a witness, and 
then only as long as will be necessary to give in his 
testimony. (S. C. Cooper, C. Nutt). And the resolu- 
tion was passed after all was stricken out after the 
words "closed doors." 

After some notices were given, conference ad- 
journed and was closed with the benediction by the 
bishop. 

Friday morning, October 20, 1843. Conference met 
pursuant to adjournment, and was opened by reading, 
singing and prayer by Brother Elliott of the Ohio Con- 
ference, and the journals were read and approved. 

Brother Wright, one of the western Book agents, 
presented the annual exhibit of the western book con- 
cern, with the amount of sales during the last fifteen 
months, and the amount of indebtedness in the bounds 
of each conference. 

The fifth question of the minutes was taken up, 
viz. : "Who have been elected and ordained elders this 
year?" And the characters of John L. Smith, Peter 
R. Guthrie, Edward Oldham, James R. Williams, 
John V. R. Miller, Rosseter Rowley, Stephen Ravens- 
croft, John L. Donaldson, Enoch Holdstock, Wm. Wil- 



310 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



son, Landy Havens, George W. Ames, Draper Chip- 
man, Lealdes Forbes, Wesley Dorsey, Samuel Reed, 
Wm. F. Wheeler, Walter L. Huffman, George Havens 
and Eventus Doud were severally examined and passed 
and were elected to eiders' orders, and Brother Wilson 
was placed in a superannuated relation. 

The first question of the minutes was then taken 
up, viz. : "Who are admitted on trial ?" And the fol- 
lowing persons being properly recommended, were re- 
ceived as follows, viz. : From the Madison District, 
Samuel Hicks ; Charlestown District, Thomas H. Sinix, 
George B. Jocelyn, Samuel H. Porter, Francis A. 
Hester, James Mitchell; Evansville District, James 
Ingle, John W. Julian; Bedford District, Thomas J. 
Ryan, Orvell Boyden; Greencastle District, George W. 
Warner, Benjamin Winans; Crawfordsville District, 
Hugh Wells, John B. Johnson, Michael Johnson; 
Lafayette District, Franklin Taylor; South Bend Dis- 
trict, Lonson W. Monson, Samuel Lamb; Ft. Wayne 
District, Addison Merrill, Elihu Anthony; Winchester 
District, George Guild, John Leach; Connersville Dis- 
trict, John C. Robbins, James C. Reed, Abraham Cary, 
Erastus Lathrop, Zelottes S. Clifford, John Wallace; 
Indianapolis District, S. A- Ballingall; Madison Dis- 
trict, Luther Taylor. 

Washington Malick, Thomas S. Gunn and Warren 
Griffeth were readmitted into the traveling connection. 

Joseph Ockerman, a candidate for readmission, and 
James M. Dougherty, a candidate for admission from 
the Winchester District, were not received. 

The vote by which Thomas C. Crawford was dis- 
continued was reconsidered, and he was continued on 
trial. 

The place of Brother Wm. H. Goode in the Mis- 
sion Committee was filled by the appointment of 
Brother L. W. Berry. 



i 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 311 



After some notices were gvien, conference was 
closed with the benediction by the bishop. 

Saturday morning, October 21, 1843. Conference 
met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with 
reading, singing and prayer by Brother Eddy, and the 
journals were read and approved. 

The secretary was directed to enter the names of 
the Mission Committee as follows, viz. : * C. W. Ruter, 
S. C. Cooper, A. Wood, R. S. Robinson and L. W. Berry. 

The recommendations of local preachers for 
deacon's orders were taken up and the following 
brethren w T ere elected to deacon's orders, viz. : From 
the Charlestown District, John F. Willey, Solomon 
Jacob and James Rodgers. Evansville District — 
Horace L. Williams. Bedford District — Martin Hail, 
Nathan Hinkle and James F. Harvey. Crawfordsville 
District — Thomas Birch. Lafayette District — Lewis 
Chaney and John Robinson. South Bend District — 
Thomas Brown. Connersville District — Thomas Ken- 
nedy. Greencastle District — W. G. Gregory, John E. 
Burton, Wm. C. Cummins, Thomas H. Rucker, J. 
Nichols and J. Marshall, and John Gillespy recom- 
mended from the same dstrict was not elected. 

On motion of Brother Ruter, Brother Malick had 
leave of absence until Monday. 

The consideration of local preachers recommended 
for elder's orders was now taken up and the following 
brethren were elected elders, viz. : From Madison 
District, Hosier J. Durbin; Charlestown District, 
Shiveral Garner, Thomas Ryan, Jacob Schwartz, 
George Schwartz and Samuel Bottorff. They have cer- 
tified to their belief in the doctrines and attachment to 
the discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

On motion Brother Beeks obtained leave of absence 
until Monday. 

The parchment of John Robbins was presented by 
Brother Wood and a statement made that he had been 



312 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



expelled from the church during the past year, also 
a certificate by the quarterly meeting conference that 
he had been restored. The question was submitted to 
the chair whether an expelled member could be re- 
stored to ministerial standing without his first joining 
the church as a private member and the chair decided 
that he could not. The parchment was accordingly 
filed among the conference papers. 

The fourth question of the minutes was taken up, 
viz. : "Who are the deacons ?" And the characters of 
Charles W. Miller, Daniel Mclntyre, John M. Mellan- 
der, Robert H. Colvert, Brenton Webster, Allen Skill- 
man, Charles B. Davidson, John B. Derrott, Asbury 
Wilkinson, Thomas A. Goodwin, Wm. C. Smith, Eli 
C. Jones and Hayden Hays were examined and passed. 

The examination of the characters of elders com- 
menced, and the presiding elders gave a statement of 
the work on their several districts, together with a 
sketch of their personal experience, and the characters 
of C. W. Ruter, Enoch G. Wood, H. S. Talbott, John 
Miller, G. M. Beswick, J. C. Smith, C. M. Holliday, 
Wm. H. Goode, Aaron Wood, Burris Westlake, Robert 
Burns, Allen Wiley and James Havens were examined 
and passed, and Brother Burns was placed in a super- 
annuated relation. 

On the bishop announcing the sums ready for the 
conference, the conference voted to draw on the Book 
Concern for the sum of five hundred dollars and on 
the chartered fund for forty dollars, and Brother 
Berry announced that the managers of the Preacher's 
Aid Society had forwarded to the conference five hun- 
dred dollars in old scrip. 

After some notices were given conference was 
closed with the benediction by the bishop. 

Monday morning, October 23, 1843. Conference 
met pursuant to adjournment and was opened with 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 313 



reading, singing and prayer by Brother Ruter, and 
the journals were read and approved. 

The examination of the characters of the elders 
was resumed, and the characters of Augustus Eddy, 
Wm. M. Daily, Wm. McGinnis, Lewis Hurlbutt, James 
Crawford, John W. Sullivan, Silas Rawson, Samuel T. 
Gillet, Amos Bussey, James Jones, G. C. Beeks, R. S. 
Robinson, Thomas Ray, Emmons Rutledge, Charles 
Bonner, Seth Smith, John Kiger, S. B. Jones, Wm. V. 
Daniel, John Kearns, Anthony Robinson, Elijah Whit- 
ten, John Talbott, Isaac Owen, John Daniel, Ebenezer 
Patrick, J. M. Stallard, John B. Birt, Cornelius Swank, 
Joseph Marsee, Ezra L. Kemp, Isaac Crawford, Philip 
May, Elam Jenung, James Scott, Asa Beck, M. Simp- 
son, W. C. Larabee, C. Nutt, S. C. Cooper, E. R. Ames, 
Samuel Brenton, Richard Hargrave, J. White, Daniel 
DeMott, J. S. Barwick, D. F. Straight, Thomas Bart- 
lett, J. B. Merchen, Amasa Johnson, H. B. Beers, A. 
D. Beasley, Jacob Colclazer, John Edwards, George W. 
Stafford, B. L. Griffeth, Wm. M. Frailey, Zachaniah 
Games, Enoch Wood, W. J. Forbes, Wade Posey, Geo. 
M. Boyde, Ancil Beach, John H. Hall, James Hill, 
Joseph Tarkington, Francis A. Colwell, Wm. W. Hib- 
ben, L. M. Reeves, Miltiades Miller, Wm. Morrow, John 
H. Bruce, F. H. Carey, L. W. Berry, J. S. Bayless, 
John L. Kelly, Miles Huffaker, Jacob Myers, Jacob 
Miller and Peter Schmucker were examined and 
passed. 

The characters of John Decker, F. C. Holliday and 
George W. Bowers, were examined and passed and 
they were placed in a superannuated relation. 

The character of Thomas F. Spillman was exam- 
ined and passed and he was granted a located relarton. 

The name of John Ritchie having been called, and 
he having two years since been requested by the con- 
ference to locate, and having during the last year de- 
clined to fill the appointment, which was given him as 



314 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



a supernumerary, his presiding elder, understanding 
from him that he designed to locate at this conference, 
and some allegation having been made against him, 
and he not being present to answer, the conference lo- 
cated him, and directed his presiding elder to withhold 
his certificate of location until the allegations against 
him shall have been properly examined. 

The characters of the superannuated preachers 
were now taken up, and the character of Wm. H. 
Smith, H. Vredenburgh, Wm. Shanks, James L. 
Thompson, J. C. Harbin, Wm. Knowles were exam- 
ined and passed, and they were continued in a super- 
annuated relation and Brother Knowles was elected to 
elders' orders. 

The characters of John H. Brouse, H. S. Dane and 
Thomas J. Brown, were examined and passed and 
placed in an effective relation. 

The name of George H. Breuing having been called, 
the following resolution was adopted: Whereas 
Brother ' Breuing was transferred to this conference 
without knowledge from the Ohio Conference, and 
whereas he was at the time of his transfer a broken 
down or superannuated man, and is unable and has 
been unable to do effective work, and whereas the con- 
ference believes, it is a violation of the rights of an- 
nual conferences to have men unable to labor trans- 
ferred to them without their consent, to become pen- 
sioned upon their funds: Therefore, Resolved, that 
while the character of Brother Breuing be passed, the 
conference request the bishop to transfer Brother 
Breuing to the Ohio Conference, and the Indiana Con- 
ference do hereby protest against the propriety of such 
transfers, and especially against the Episcopacy super- 
intending the Ohio Conference at its session, making 
appointments affecting the stations and interests of 
the Indiana Conference. 

On motion of Brother Enoch Wood a committee 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 315 



was ordered to take into consideration the propriety 
of removing the remains of Bishop Roberts to some 
other place, when the following resolution was pre- 
sented : "Resolved that a committee of three be ap- 
pointed to draft resolutions, expressive of the sense of 
this conference of the character and worth of the late 
Bishop Roberts. J. C. Smith, John Miller, James Hav- 
ens." Whereupon C. W. Ruter, M. Simpson and Allen 
Wiley were appointed to attend to both above named 
subjects. 

On motion of Brother Wiley it was resolved that 
when conference adjourn it adjourn to meet at 2 
o'clock to go into the election of delegates to the next 
general conference. 

On motion, conference proceeded to select the 
places for holding the next conferences, and the east- 
ern charge of Indianapolis and Ft. Wayne being in 
nomination for the northern division, Ft. Wayne was 
selected, and Bloomington, Madison, New Albany and 
Evansville being in nomination for the southern divis- 
ion, Bloomington was selected. And in case the con- 
ference should not be divided, Indianapolis was se- 
lected as the place of holding conference. 

On motion of Brothers S. C. Cooper and H. S. Tal- 
bott it was "Resolved that our delegates to the next 
general conference be and they are hereby instructed 
to use their best efforts to prevent our German Mis- 
sions from being disconnected from our regular work." 

On motion of Brother Eddy it was "Resolved that 
the superintendents be requested to fix the times of 
holding the Indiana and North Indiana Conferences as 
early in September as possible." 

After some notices were given, conference was 
closed with the benediction by the bishop. 

Monday afternoon, October 23, 1843. Conference 
met pursuant to adjournment and was opened with 



316 CIRC V IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 



prayer by M. Simpson, and the journals were read and 
approved. 

Conference proceeded to the order of the day, 
which was the election of delegates to the next gen- 
eral conference, when, upon counting the votes, M. 
Simpson, A. Wiley, E. R. Ames, John Miller, C. W. 
Ruter, Aaron Wood, Augustus Eddy and James Havens, 
having received a majority of all votes upon the first 
ballot, were declared duly elected, and John C. Smith 
and Richard Hargrave were elected reserve delegates. 

Conference proceeded to the election of nine visitors 
to the university, and, upon the tickets being received, 
Brothers Daily and Beach were appointed a committee 
to count the votes and report to conference tomorrow 
morning. 

On motion, conference adjourned and was closed 
with the benediction by the bishop. 

Tuesday Morning, October 24th, 1843. 

Conference met pursuant to adjournment and was 
opened with reading, singing and prayer by Brother 
James Jones, and the journals were read and approved. 

The committee appointed to count to votes for 
visitors reported the following persons duly elected, 
viz. : L. W. Brry, J. C. Smith, A. Wiley, G. M. Beswick, 
E. G. Wood, S. T. Gillett, A. Eddy, E. R. Ames and C. 
W. Ruter. 

The Stewards made their report, which was adopted 
and filed among the Conference papers. 

Conference voted to apply the appropriations made 
to Widow Barnes* child toward the liquidation of 
Brother Barnes' book debt, and that Brother S. C. 
Cooper apply the money now in his hands in the same 
way. 

The Secretary read the statement of meeting-houses, 
parsonages, Sabbath schools, local preachers, members 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 317 



and mission moneys, which was filed among the Confer- 
ence papers. 

The committee on distribution of the funds from 
the Preachers' Aid Society made their report, which 
was accepted and filed among the Conference papers. 

Conference proceeded to the election of trustees for 
Indiana Asbury Univrsity, and J. W. Wines, E. R- 
Ames and J. H. Cravens were elected in room of Havens 
R. Hardesty and James Nosier. 

Brother Wright made a statement of the case of 
Brother Belotte, as noticed in the journals of last Con- 
ference, and on motion of Brother E. G. Wood, Con- 
ference directed the preacher in charge of the place 
where Brother Belotte resides to proced against him 
to collet the money, according to discipline. 

Brother Wright made a report in reference to the 
debt of Brother Oglesby, and it was left in the hands 
of the preacher in charge of Third Street, Madison. 

The account of J. Williams was placed in the hands 
of the preacher in charge of the Madisonville Circuit. 

The account of Brother Ballow was continued in the 
hands of the preacher in charge of Ft. Wayne- 

The account of Brother Amasa Johnson was given 
to the presiding elder in whose district he may be, to 
be properly secured. 

The committee on distributing the funds of the 
Preachers' Aid Society reported the distribution as 
follows : 



E. G. Wood_ 
W. H. Smith 



$ 50.00 



30.00 
50.00 
30.00 
25.00 
25.00 
25.00 
30.00 
20.00 



H. Vredenburgh 
J. L. Thompson- 



s' 



R. Hargrave 
H. S. Talbott 
J. Keans 



E, Whitten 
J. C. Harbin 



318 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



A. Wood _ 
E. Patrick 
A. Beck _. 
C. Bonner 



25.00 
35.00 
30.00 
30.00 
25.00 
30.00 
20-00 
20.00 



M. Huffaker __ 
F. C. Holliday 
W. V. Daniel— 
J. Daniel 



$500.00 



Brother Wright read a paper on the project of 
publishing a social and domestic library, and the fol- 
lowing resolution was presented: "Whereas, the 
Book Committee at Cincinnati has submitted for the 
consideration of this conference the plan of a social 
and domestic library, to embrace a great variety of 
books for popular reading, which we esteem a very 
necessary and important measure, worthy of the 
adoption of the church. Therefore, Resolved, by the 
Indiana Annual Conference that we recommend the 
contemplated enterprise to the consideration and fa- 
vorable action of the next general conference, and that 
the delegates from this conference be requested to use 
their influence to have the measure adopted by that 
body." After several motions the resolution was di- 
vided and amended and passed as follows : "Resolved 
by the Indiana Annual Conference that we recommend 
the contemplated enterprise to the careful considera- 
tion and action of the next general conference." 

The committee on the death of Bishop Roberts re- 
ported the following resolutions: 1st, Resolved, That 
we regard with deep gratitude that providence which 
granted us the privilege of claiming for the period of 
twenty-four years Bishop Roberts as a fellow citizen 
and a patriarchal minister resident among us. 2d, 
Resolved, That in view of the intellectual and moral 
worth of Bishop Roberts and his kind regard for us 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 319 



and the whole church, his death be considered as a 
paternal bereavement to the church in general and to 
the Indiana Conference in particular, which calls for 
proper humiliation and resignation. 3d, Resolved, 
That we shall be greatly wanting to ourselves, and the 
cause of God, if we do not imbibe his spirit, and imi- 
tate his wholesome and Godly examples. 4. Resolved, 
That the remains of the venerable Bishop (the widow 
consenting) be removed from the present obscure lodg- 
ment and be transferred to Greencastle. 5. Resolved, 
That a suitable monument or tombstone be erected to 
the memory of the Bishop. 6. Resolved, That the ex- 
penses incurred in carrying into effect the last two 
resolutions be met by the Indiana Conference, and 
should the Conference be divided, by the two Confer- 
ences jointly, according to their numerical strength. 7. 
Resolved, That Bishop Soule be requested to furnish a 
suitable epitaph or inscription for the Bishop's tomb. 
8. Resolved, That M. Simpson and the Presiding Elder 
of the Greencastle District and the district in which 
Bishop Roberts was buried be a committee to carry 
into effect the foregoing resolutions. 9. Resolved, 
That the foregoing resolutions be spread on the jour- 
nals of this Conference and a copy of them be for- 
warded to the aged widow of the Bishop, and also a 
copy be furnished the editor of the Western Christian 
Advocate for publication, with a request that the other 
Methodist papers copy. C. W. Ruter, M. Simpson, 
Allen Wiley." 

On the presentation of the parchment of Bishop 
Roberts, on the traveling trunk of Bishop Asbury, for- 
merly in the possession of Bishop Roberts, it was re- 
solved that the Conference permit Dr. Elliott to use 
them as he may need in the preparation of the Bishop's 
life, and then that they be deposited in the cabinet of 
the Asbury University. 

On motion of Brother Wiley, it was "Resolved, That 



320 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



by precept and example we will use our influence to 
prevent the use of tobacco in our houses of worship." 

A memorial in reference to the Indianapolis Insti- 
tute was read and referred to a committee consisting 
of Brothers Berry, Larrabee and Bayless. 

A memorial was presented from the Eastern charge 
in Indianapolis concerning church property, which was 
referred to a committee consisting of Brothers Eddy, 
Cooper and Gillet. 

The committee on church property made a report, 
which on motion of Brother Eddy was laid on the table. 

On motion of Brother Conwell the vote by which 
Brother Harbin was continued in a superannuated re- 
lation was reconsidered, and he was placed in an ef- 
fective relation. 

The following presents an abstract by districts of 
the statistics of this Conference : 

In addition of the foregoing amount of mis- 
sion money of $2,537.77 

There was collected at the Conference anni- 
versary 

Making the total amount of missionary collec- 
tions 

From the Steward's report the total amount 



of claims was 39,681.63 

The total amount of receipts 25,715.80 



Leaving a deficit of $13,965.83 

The fifth collection amounted to__ $267.41 

Divided from Book Concern 500.00 

Divided from chartered fund 40.00— $807.41 



Making a dividend to claims where receipts were under 
27 1-4 per cent., which dividend was distributed as per 
report. 

After a number of notices were given, Conference 
adjourned, and was closed with the benediction by the 

Bishop. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA 



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322 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Wednesday Morning, October 25th, 1843. 

Conference met, pursuant to adjournment, and was 
opened with reading, singing and prayer by Brother 
Ames, and the journals were read and approved. 

On motion of Brother Wiley, the Secretary was di- 
rected to furnish such papers as he may think fit for 
publication in the Western Christian Advocate. 

Conrad Muth, recommended from the Evansville 
District, was received on trial. 

Brother Eddy, from the committee on Indianapolis 
church property, made a report, accompanied by the 
following resolution : 

First. Resolved, That the Bishop be respectfully 
requested to make Meridian street the dividing line 
between the two charges. 

Second. Resolved, That the members who may be 
cut off by this change shall be permitted to attach 
themselves to either charge, at their discretion. . 

Both of which resolutions were indefinitely post- 
poned, and the following were adopted, as amended, 
as follows: 

Third. Resolved, That we advise the Trustees of 
the two charges to make an equal division of the real 
estate (exclusive of buildings) which belonged to the 
Church at the time of division, and that the amount 
of subscriptions made to the Eastern charge by mem- 
bers of the Western charge shall be deducted from the 
amount due the Eastern charge, provided such sub- 
scriptions be estimated at their cash value. 

Fourth. Resolved, That if the parties referred to 
above cannot agree in the division of the property, that 
they may be advised to submit the same to arbitration. 

Fifth. Resolved, That the preachers in charge of 
the two stations in Indianapolis and the Presiding El- 
ders of the two districts be instructed to use their influ- 
ence to carry the above resolutions into effect. 

The committee on Church property made report in 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 323 



reference to the meeting-house lot in Danville, that they 
considered the deed to be a good and sufficient one, 
which report was adopted. The resolutions appended 
to their former report were taken up and adopted, as 
follows, viz. : "Resolved, That for the purpose of pro- 
moting more uniform action and securing the rights 
to our property we recommend that hereafter the fol- 
lowing order, as far as practicable, be pursued : First, 
the preacher in charge, or Presiding Elder, secure the 
consent of a majority of the Society or Societies to 
which church property is to be conveyed, to their ap- 
pointment of five trustees; second, that the preacher 
or Presiding Elder then, within ten days thereafter 
certify said appointment, together with the consent of 
the majority having been obtained thereto, to the rec- 
ords of the county. 

Resolved, second, by the Indiana Conference, That 
the members of this Conference be and are hereby 
instructed in all cases, where bonds for deeds have been 
given, to procure an execution of a suitable deed, and 
see that it is duly recorded in the proper offices. 

Third. Resolved, That it be and it is hereby made 
the special duty of all our Presiding Elders at the sec- 
ond Quarterly Meeting in charge for the ensuing year, 
strictly to enquire into the conditions of Church prop- 
erty, within the bounds of each charge, and to see that 
the above resolutions be carried into effect. 

At the suggestion of Conference, it was voted that 
Brother J. L. Thompson's book debt be paid out of his 
appropriation, and the balance be paid to Brother 
Beers for him. 

On motion of Brother Wiley, "Resolved, That the 
preachers in the two charges in Indianapolis be a com- 
mittee respectfully to request the Supreme Judges of 
this State to say, as gentlemen learned in the law, 
whether naming the division of this Conference South 



324 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



and North Indiana Conference will jeopardize any of 
our chartered or vested rights." 

On motion of Brother S. C. Cooper, "Resolved, That 
Prof. Larrabee be respectfully requested to furnish a 
copy of his address on the subject of education for 
publication in the Western Christian Advocate." 

The following preamble and resolutions were pre- 
sented and adopted: "Whereas, The publishers of 
books in all parts of the United States have greatly 
reduced the price of their publications, thereby almost 
entirely monopolizing the Book trade in many parts 
of the country and forcing our Books out of the market 
because of the high price at which they are offered for 
sale, and as we believe it to be of vital importance to 
the prosperity of our Church that our Books be placed 
in the hands of all the people; therefore, 

"Resolved, That our delegates to the next General 
Conference be and they are hereby instructed to use 
their influence to reduce the price of our Books, that 
we may be able to compete with other Book sellers, and 
thereby circulate our books among the people. 

"Resolved, That in the opinion of this Conference 
our object in the selling of Books should be to spread 
religious knowledge and not to make money." 

The committee on the Indianapolis Institute made a 
report, which was adopted, together with the following 
resolutions : 

1. Resolved, That the Indianapolis Female Insti- 
tute be taken under the patronage of the Conference. 
Resolved, second, That a committee of three be ap- 
pointed by the President of the Conference to attend 
the annual examinations and report to Conference. 
Third, That we will recommend the Institution to our 
friends, and use our best exertions to sustain it, and 
the President was requested to appoint the committee. 

The York resolutions were taken up, and on the 
first, viz.: "The buying or selling of men, women or 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 325 



children, with an intention to enslave them, or the 
holding of them as slaves in any State, Country or Dis- 
trict, when the laws of such State, Territory or District 
will admit emancipation, and permit the liberated 
slave to enjoy freedom, " was concurred in by the Con- 
ference by a vote of 92 yeas, 34 nays. 

The second, viz. : "Making local preachers account- 
able for offenses, where they may be committed," con- 
curred in by a vote of 119 yeas, 5 nays. 

The third, viz. : Making our rule on spiritous 
liquors read as follows : "Drunkenness, buying or sell- 
ing spiritous liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases 
of extreme necessity," was concurred in by a vote of 
91 yeas, 11 nays. 

The fourth, viz. : Altering the restrictive rules so 
as to change our rules on slavery as to read: "The 
buying or selling men, women or children with an 
intention to enslave them," was concurred in, by a vote 
of 91 yeas, 11 nays. 

A petition on the subject of slavery was presented 
from Westfield, which, by a vote of the Conference, 
was laid upon the table. 

The report from the Visitors of the University was 
read and adopted. 

The parchment of Jeremiah Sherwood was pre- 
sented to the Conference by Brother E. G. Wood. The 
chair having decided that a minister could not be ad- 
mitted to orders without a regular recommendation 
from the Quarterly Meeting Conference. 

The Stewards made a report in reference to the 
superannuated men, dividing them as follows, viz. : 
That J. L. Thompson, H. Vredeburgh, William Wilson, 
Robert Burns, William H. Smith, Widow Armstrong, 
Widow Williams, Brother Griffith's children and 
Brother Thompson's child be attached to the North 
Indiana Conference ; and that William Shanks, William 
Knowles, F. C. Holliday, J. A. Brouse, J. C. Harbin, 



326 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



J. A. Decker, G. W. Bowles, Widow Moore, Widow 
Chord, Brother Robinson's, Brother Ray's and Brother 
Barnes' children, Brother Bremey be placed in the 
South Indiana Conference, which was adopted. 

The committee to whom was referred the selecting 
of a Life Director made their report, and Conference 
selected Brother Allen Wiley, and directed the Secre- 
tary to furnish him a certificate thereof. 

On motion of Brother Ruter, the following resolu- 
tions were passed : 

Resolved, That we commend to the people in our 
respective charges to observe Friday, the 22nd day of 
December next, as a day of humiliation, fasting and 
prayer; and that we advise them in each society to 
commence on the evening of that day a four days' 
prayer meeting, and that such meetings be protracted 
when circumstances will justify their continuance. 

Resolved, That we will endeavor to observe, and 
that we will recommend our people within the bounds 
of this conference to observe, Friday, the 26th day of 
April next, as a day of fasting and prayer, with spe- 
cial reference to the meeting of our ensuing General 
Conference, fervently praying the Head of the Church 
so to direct that body, in all their deliberations, that 
their minds may be to such conclusions as shall most 
tend to promote the glory of God and advance the in- 
terests of the Redeemer's Kingdom upon earth. 

Resolved, That during the ensuing Conference year 
we will endeavor on the evening of each day in the 
twilight hour, especially to remember our brethren of 
this Conference, at the throne of grace, praying each 
for the others, that all may be preserved from evil, that 
we may greatly increase in knowledge, in holiness and 
usefulness, and be made more than ever successful in 
spreading scriptural holiness over the lands. 

On motion, Brothers J. A. Brouse and J. C. Harbin 
were placed in a superannuated relation. 



CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 327 



On motion of Brother E. G. Wood : Resolved, That 
each preacher in charge be instructed to take up a 
collection in the month of March next for the purpose 
of defraying the expenses of the delegates to the next 
General Conference, and forward it to the nearest 
delegate. 

On motion, the Secretary was directed to furnish a 
copy of the resolutions on Indianapolis church property 
to the preacher of the Western charge. 

After some notices, Conference was closed, with the 
benediction by the Bishop. 

Wednesday Afteroonn, October 2bth, 1843. 

Conference met, pursuant to adjournment, in the 
Methodist Church, and the journals were read and 
approved. 

On motion : Resolved, That the thanks of this Con- 
ference be hereby tendered to those religious denomi- 
nations who have kindly opened their churches for our 
occupancy during the session of this Conference. 

Resolved, That the thanks of this Conference be 
hereby tendered to the citizens of Crawfordsville and 
vicinity, who have kindly opened their hearts and 
houses for our accommodation during the session of 
this Conference. 

The Bishop announced A. Wiley, W. C. Larrabee 
and J. C. Smith as visitors to the Female Institute in 
Indianapolis. 

On motion, Brother Bruing was placed in a super- 
annuated relation. The Committee on the New York 
Book Concern made their report, which was accepted 
and filed away among the Conference papers. 

Conference was then closed with singing and 
prayer by the Bishop. And the appointments were 
read. 

JAMES 0. ANDREW. 
M. SIMPSON, Secretary. 



328 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



APPOINTMENTS FOR 1843. 

Brookville District. 

A. Wiley, Presiding Elder. 

Brookville — M. Miller, Samuel P. Crawford. 

Fairfield — James Hill. 

Liberty — Francis A. Conwell, J. C. Reed. 

Brownsville — Jacob Burner, W. Anderson. 

Connersville — William W. Hibben, 0. H. P. Ash. 

Laurel — George Havens. 

Milroy — Landy Havens, J. Wallis. 

Greensburg — Joseph S. Barwick. 

Indianapolis District* 

James Havens, Presiding Elder. 
Indianapolis — Western Charge, L. W. Berry. 
Rushville — William C. Smith. 
Burlington — John W. Melander. 
Shelby ville — Charles B. Davidson, George H. Mc- 
Laughlin. 

Columbus — Williamson Terrell, S. A. Ballingall. 
Franklin— J. V. R. Miller. 
Pleasant View Mission — John L. Kelly. 
Milford— J. Miller. 

Rising Sun District. 

James Jones, Presiding Elder. 

Lawrenceburg — Richard S. Robinson. 

Manchester — Amos Bussey, Samuel Hicks. 

Wilmington — Silas Rawson, John S. Winchester. 

Milan — E. Lathrop. 

Versailles — Henry S. Dane. 

Vevay — Thomas A. Goodwin, W. Malick. 

Patriot — Hayden Hays, M. Mahen. 

Rising Sun— William M. Daily. 

Lawrenceburg German Mission — J. Swahlen. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 329 



Madison District. 
A. Eddy, Presiding Elder. 

Madison— Wesley Chapel, James Crawford. Third 
Street — John W. Sullivan. 

Canaan — William Morrow, Thomas M. Eddy« 
Moorfields — Thomas S. Gunn. 
Vernon — Francis H. Carey. 
Paris — William McGinnis, E. W. Caldwell. 
Lexington — Constant B. Jones, James Mitchell. 
New Philadelphia — J. Whiteman, Samuel H. Ports. 
New Washington — Lewis Hurlbut. 
E. R. Ames, Missionary Secretary. 

New Albany District. 

William V. Daniel, Presiding Elder. 
New Albany — Wesley Chapel, Enoch G. Wood. Cen- 
tenary Church, C. W. Ruter. 

Jeffersonville — Hosier J. Durbin. 

Utica — Charles Bonner. 

Charlestown — John Kiger. 

Greenville — Thomas Ray, Thomas H. Sinex. 

Salem — Greenbury C. Beeks. 

Corydon — Daniel S. Elder. 

Elizabeth — Emmons Rutledge, F. A. Hester. 

Evansville District. 

John Kearns, Presiding Elder. 

Evansville — Samuel Reed. 

Mt. Vernon — William M. Fraley, J. Julian. 

Cynthiana — William Bratton, P. J. Beswick. 

Princeton — Ebenezer Patrick, J. H. Clippenger, 

Boonville — E. Oldham. 

Rockport — Alfred B, Nesbit, J. Corwin. 

Petersburg — J. Ingle. 

Paoli — P. R. Guthrie, George B. Jocelyn. 

Rome — A Wilkerson. 

Evansville German Mission — H. Koenecke, C. Muth. 

(22) 



330 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Bedford District. 

John Miller, Presiding Elder. 
Bedford— Elijah Whitten. 
Brownstown — Seth Smith. 
Leesville — Elam Genung. 
Bono — Daniel Mclntyre. 
Orleans — George W. Walker. 
Bloomington — Cyrus Nutt. 
Springville — Lealdes Forbes. 
Scotland — T. Ryan. 
Martinsville— J. B. DeMott. 
Mooresville — D. DeMott, J. Crawford. 
Brown Mission — Wesley Dorsey. 

Vincennes District. 

U. S. Talbott, Presiding Elder. 
Vincennes — Anthony Robinson. 
Carlisle — S. Ravenscroft, C. Mapes. 
Lebanon — Ezra L. Kemp. 
Prairieton — John Talbott. 
Bowling Green — Thomas G. Crawford. 
Point Commerce — George W. Ames. 
Spencer — Eli C. Jones. 
Washington — James R. Williams. 
Putnamville — Asa Beck. 

Greencastle District. 

G. M. Beswick, Presiding Elder. 
Greencastle — John Daniel. 
Montgomery — George W. Warner. 
Russellville — J. B. Birt, E. Lilliston. 
Rossville — Jared B. Mershon. 
Rockville— Philip May. 
Terre Haute— S. T. Gillett. 
Newport — J. J. Cooper, M. Johnson. 
Little Walnut Mission — J. R. Tansey. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 331 



Indiana Asbury University— M. Simpson, Presi- 
dent; W. C. Larrabee, Professor; S. C. Cooper, Agent, 
for the northern portion of the Conference ; Isaac Owen 
for the southern portion. 

Crawfordsville District. 

J. C. Smith, Presiding Elder. 
Crawfordsville — Richard Hargrave. 
Crawfordsville Circuit — Thomas J. Brown. 
Alamo Mission — Joseph White. 
Covington — Amasa Johnson, W. Posey. 
Perryville — Samuel Brenton. 
Newtown — Thomas Bartlett, J. B. Johnson. 
Augusta — Jacob Myers. 
Williamsport>-B. T. Griffith. 
Danville— D. F. Stright, R. H. Calvert. 

Lafayette District. 

A. Wood, Presiding Elder. 
Lafayette — Jacob M. Stallard. 
Dayton — Horatio N. Barnes. 
Lebanon — H. Wells, J. H. Newland. 
Frankfort — Draper Chipman. 
Camden — Franklin Taylor. 
Delphi — Cornelius Swank. 
Monticello — John Edwards. 
Rensselaer Mission — Rosetter C. Rowley. 
Independence — Allen D. Beasley. 

Logansport District. 

B. Westlake, Presiding Elder. 
Logansport — Isaac M. Stagg. 
Kokomo Mission — Jacob Colclazer. 
Pittsburg— George W. Stafford. 
Winnemeck — Orville H. Boyden. 
Upper Wabash Mission — A. Merrill. 



332 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Rochester — Allen Skillman, J.' P. Jones. 

Liberty Mills— Charles W. Miller. 

Warsaw — E. Anthony. 

Leesburg — Enoch Wood. 

Peru — William F. Wheeler, N. Greene. 

South Bend District' 

C. M. Holliday, Presiding Elder. 

South Bend — E. Holstock, S. B. F. Crane. 

Terrecoupee — J. W. Parrott. 

Laporte — W. L. Huffman. 

Union — Orange V. Lemon, Benjamin Winans. 

Valparaiso — Warren Griffith. 

Crown Point — To be supplied. 

Plymouth — L. W. Monson. 

Mishawaka — Zechariah Games. 

Middlebury — S. Lamb. 

Goshen — Ancil Beach. 

Fort Wayne District. 

George M. Boyd, Presiding Elder. 

Fort Wayne — Hawley B. Beers. 

St. Joseph Mission — J. C. Medsker. 

Decatur — N. S. Worden. 

Auburn — J. Sparks. 

Steuben — W. J. Forbes. 

Lagrange— Levantus Doud, William Stone. 

Wolf Lake— E. S. Blue. 

Huntingdon — J. Cozad. 

Bluffton — George Guild. 

Centerville District. 

Joseph Tarkington, Presiding Elder. 
Winchester — L. M. Reeves, A. Badley. 
Richmond — J. H. Hull. 
Centreville — J. H. Bruce. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 383 



Hagarstown — J. W. Bradshaw. 

Munceytown — Zelotes J. Clifford. 

Granville — John Leech. 

Hartford — H. H. Badley. 

Portland — A. Carey. 

Cambridge and Dublin — John L. Smith. 

Williamsburg — B. Webster. 

Pendleton District. 

Joseph Marsee, Presiding Elder. 

Indianapolis — Eastern Charge, John S. Bayless. 

Noblesville — James Scott. 

Westlake — S. C. Swayze. 

Pipe Creek — Miles Huffaker. 

Pendleton — J. C. Crouch. 

Andersontown — B. H. Bradbury. 

Marion — J. C. Robbins. 

Newcastle — Luther Taylor. 

Knightstown — John L. Donaldson. 

Greenfield — F. F. Sheldon. 

William H. Goode, transferred to Arkansas Con- 
ference. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY. 



Manuscripts. 

Journal of the Western Conference (1800-1811) 
and Journal of the Ohio Conference (1812-1839), in 
two fairly well preserved manuscript volumes, in the 
possession of the Ohio Methodist Historical Society, in 
the library of Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, 
Ohio. 

Journal of the Indiana Conference (1832-1844), a 
finely preserved manuscript volume, belonging to the 
North Indiana Conference, now in the library of De- 
Pauw University. 

Considerable manuscript material, relating to local 
churches and circuits, has been available for this study, 
including the Quarterly Conference Records of the 
Fall Creek Circuit from 1828; the Quarterly Confer- 
ence Records of the Crawfordsville station from 1835 ; 
manuscript material relating to the founding and his- 
tory of DePauw University, in the office of the treas- 
urer of the university; some of the records of the old 
Silver Creek Circuit, the first complete circuit in Indi- 
ana, found at the Charlestown Methodist Episcopal 
Church, the earliest record being dated February 23, 
1810. 

Much other material of this kind is also available, 
of more or less importance, every church possessing 
records, many of which, however, are meager and in- 
complete. An attempt has been made to collect this 
material, so that it can more easily be used, and a sur- 
vey of the North Indiana Conference has been organ- 
ized. This Conference appointed a Conference His- 
torian in the person of Dr. H. N. Herrick, now de- 



CIRC U IT -RIDER DA YS IN INDIANA . 335 



ceased, and also county historians were appointed, who 
were to write up the history of every Methodist Church 
in the county. Among these county historians who 
have turned in material are Rev. C. H. Smith, for Han- 
cock county; Mr. F. A. Walker, Esq., for Madison 
county ; I. W. Krider, for Cass county ; Rev. J. E. Ervin, 
for Delaware county; Captain M. B. Willis, for De- 
Kalb county; Mrs. M. E. Kiblinger, for Noble county; 
Rev. H. J. Norris, for Randolph county; Mr. R. S. 
Truitt, for Hamilton county; Dr. J. M. Moulder, for 
Howard county; Rev. B. G. Shinn, for Blackford 
county ; Rev. J. B. Cook, for Kosciusko county ; Mr. W. 
E. Mowbray, Esq., for Miami county. The other 
county historians appointed for the remaining counties 
in the Conference are Rev. W. J. Myers, Adams county ; 
0. E. Mohler, Allen county; Prof. D. W. Thomas, Elk- 
hart county ; Charles E. Neal, Esq., Grant county ; Dr. 
J. W. White, Henry county; Dr. W. C. Chaffee, Hunt- 
ington county ; A. T. Place, Jay county ; G. C. Morgan, 
Lagrange county ; Rev. G. H. Hill, Marion county ; Mrs. 
W. E. Butterworth, St. Joseph county; Mrs. Frank 
Wier, Steuben county; Mr. M. W. Pershing, Tipton 
county; Mrs. A. F. Ebbinghouse, Wabash county; Rev. 
0. S. Harrison, Wayne county ; Prof. P. A. Allen, Wells 
county, and Rev. C. W. Shoemaker, Whitley county. 

The Northwest Indiana Conference also passed res- 
olutions looking toward the appointment of county his- 
torians by the district superintendents, but this survey, 
so far, has resulted in the investigation of but one 
county — Benton county — by Rev. J. E. McCloud. 

Dr. Herrick before his death had compiled a com- 
plete appointment record for the North Indiana Con- 
ference, and had also put in rough form his first chap- 
ter for his intended History of the North Indiana Con- 
ference. Dr. Herrick's manuscript has been drawn 
upon in this study, and in some instances has given 
valuable assistance. 



PERIODICALS AND CHURCH PUBLICATIONS. 



"The Western Christian Advocate," begun 1834. 
One of the most important sources for this study. Be- 
sides scattered items, a number of important serial 
articles, bearing on the early history of Indiana Meth- 
odism, have been found in the files of this paper, the 
most important of which are : 

"Introduction and Progress of Methodism in South- 
western Indiana," by Rev. Allen Wiley, in the Western 
Christian Advocate for 1845-1846. A series of thirty- 
seven articles describing early circuits and ministers 
from 1804 to 1832. 

"Methodism in Southwestern Indiana," signed 
Yesop Edaw. Western Christian Advocate, July 27, 
August 10, September 28, October 26, 1859. 

"The Indiana Conference," 1832-1843. A series of 
twelve articles running in the Western Christian Ad- 
vocate for 1858. By W. W. Hibben. 

"The Methodist Magazine," begun 1818. The offi- 
cial quarterly magazine of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in the United States. Chiefly valuable for 
biographies of deceased ministers. 

"Minutes of Conferences," Vols. I, II, III, 1773-1845. 
Bound volumes containing statistics of all the Confer- 
ences in the United States, among them being statistics 
for Indiana from the earliest introduction of Meth- 
odism within the State. Also contains brief biogra- 
phies of deceased ministers. 

"The General Conference Journals" contains pro- 
ceedings of the General Conference, the lawmaking 
body of the Church, which met every four years. 
(1812-1844.) 

"Disciplines" (1812-1844). Contains digest of 
Methodist law, Church rules, boundaries of confer- 
ences, etc. Revised every four years by the action of 
the General Conference. 



BIOGRAPHICAL AND AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL. 



Beggs, Rev. S. R. — "Pages from the Early History 
of the West and Northwest/' Cincinnati, 1868. Refers 
especially to the history of Methodism. 

Cartwright, Peter — "Autobiography." Edited by 
W. P. Strickland, Cincinnati and New York, 1856. 
Peter Cartwright was associated with the earliest in- 
troduction of Methodism into Indiana. This is the 
best known Methodist frontier biography. 

Cox, Sanford — "Recollections of an Old Settler," 
Lafayette, 1860. 

Crooks, George R. — "Life of Bishop Simpson," New 
York, 1890. Bishop Simpson was the first President 
of Indiana Asbury University (DePauw University). 

DePauw University — Semi-Centennial Reminis- 
cences and Historical Addresses, 1837-1887. Includes 
addresses by Rev. T. A. Goodwin, on "Reminiscences 
of Early Days of Indiana Asbury University." Semi- 
Centennial Historical Address of Indiana Asbury, Now 
DePauw University," by Rev. George L. Curtiss. "His- 
torical Sketch of the Transition from Indiana Asbury 
University to DePauw University," by John Clark Rld- 
path. Greencastle, 1887. 

Elliott, Rev. Charles— "The Life of Bishop Robert 
R. Roberts," Cincinnati, 1844. 

Goodwin, Rev. T. A. — "Heroic Women of Early 
Indiana Methodism" (pamphlet). An address deliv- 
ered at DePauw University, 1889. 

Holliday, Rev. F. C. — "Life and Times of Allen 
Wiley." Edited by Rev. D. W. Clark, Cincinnati, 1853. 

Major, Noah J. — Memoirs of "Pioneers of Morgan 
County." Edited by Logan Esarey, Indianapolis, 1915 
(pp. 334-348). 



338 CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 



Smith, Rev. J. C. — "Reminiscences of Early Meth- 
odism in Indiana." Indianapolis, 1879. 

Smith, Rev. J. L. — "Indiana Methodism." Contains 
personal recollections and incidents. Valparaiso, 1892. 

Smith, W. C— "Indiana Miscellany." 

Tarkington, Joseph — "Autobiography." Edited, 
with a long introduction, by Rev. T. A. Goodwin. Cin- 
cinnati, 1899. 

Welker, T. D.— "John Kiger, Conflicts and Tri- 
umphs of an Itinerant." Cincinnati, 1891. 

Wood, Rev. Aaron— "Sketches" (pamphlet). Facts 
and reminiscences of early days in Indiana, by a promi- 
nent itinerant preacher. Indianapolis, 1883. 

GENERAL. 

"Camp-Meetings." An essay written to vindicate 
the camp-meeting. Cincinnati, 1856. 

Cummings, A. W. — "Early Schools of Methodism." 
New York, 1886. 

Dow, Rev. Lorenzo — "The Writings Of." Cincin- 
nati, 1853. An eccentric evangelist, who traveled over 
the country in the early nineteenth century. 

Emory, Robert — "History of the Discipline of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church." New York, 1844. 

Esarey, Logan — "A History of Indiana from Its 
Exploration to 1850." Indianapolis, 1915. 

Finley, Rev. J. B. — "Sketches of Western Meth- 
odism." Biographical, historical and miscellaneous, 
illustrative of pioneer life. Edited by W. P. Strick- 
land. Cincinnati, 1857. Contains a biography of Rev. 
William Burke, who was Secretary of the old Western 
Conference at the time of the introduction of Meth- 
odist preaching in Indiana. 

Holliday, Rev. F. C. — "Indiana Methodism" down 
to 1872. Cincinnati, 1873. The most complete history 
of Methodism, but poorly organized, with no index. 



CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. 339 



Larrabee, W. C. — "Asbury and His Coadjutors," 
two volumes. Cincinnati, 1853. Contains biographies 
of Bishop William McKendree and Bishop Robert R. 
Roberts. 

Porter, Rev. James — "A Compendium of Method- 
ism" (sixth edition). Boston, 1853. 

"Readings in Indiana History." Edited by a com- 
mittee of the History Section of the Indiana State 
Teachers' Association. Bloomington, 1914. Chapter 
XVI, "Religious Life of the Pioneers." 

Sherman, David — "History of the Revisions of the 
Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church." New 
York, 1874. 

Stevens, Abel — "History of American Methodism." 
Cincinnati, 1868. A general account of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in the United States. 

Sweet, William W.— "The Methodist Episcopal 
Church and the Civil War." Cincinnati, 1912. 



INDEX 



Agents, Indiana Asbury Uni., 

71, 177, 170. 
Alleghany College, 64. 
American Bible Society, 174, 

254, 268. 
American Colonization Society. 

217. 

Ames, Edward It., 52, 65, 75, 85, 
88, 203, 214, 223, 316. 

Andrew, James O., 86, 305, 327. 

Appointments, 28-29, 78, 108- 
110, 120-122, 136-138, 151-153, 
166-168, 199-203, 218-222, 239- 
243, 269-273, 181-184, 298-303, 
330-333. 

Arkansas, 32. 

Armstrong, James, 39, 40, 45. 
56, 57. 

Arrington, Alfred W., 53, 92-93. 
Asbury, Bishop Francis, 17, 26, 
83. 

Ashworth, Moses, 8, 9. 
Attica, 46. 

Axley, James, 16, 20, 21. 

Baptists, 2, 6, 10, 12, 13, 47, 60, 

82, 83. 
Bascom, H. B., 65. 
Bnyless, J. S., 75. 
Beauchamp, William, 36, 38. 
Bedford circuit, 67. 
Beggs, Stephen R., 44, 45, 46. 49. 
Beswick, G. W., 81. 
Biglow, Russell, 39. 
Blackman, Learner, 16. 
Bloomington, 32, 36, 44, 46, 66. 

68, 81. 

Blue River circuit, 24, 36. 
Boonville, 42. 
Boston, 38. 

Boundaries, conference, 215. 
Brookville, 5, 14, 32, 80. 
Brouse, J. A., 71. 
Brownstown, 80. 
Burke, William, 2, 16, 17, 18. 
Burns, Robert, 81. 



Busroe, 10, 19. 

By-Laws, 94-97, 123, 139, 245, 
275. 

Camp Meetings, 23, 48, 49, 50. 
"Canipbellites," 82, 83. 
Cartwright, Peter, 5, 10, 16. 19. 
20, 70. 

Centenary of American Method- 
ism, 77, 204. 

Centerville, 57, 66, 69, SO, 122, 
273. 

Character, examination of, 76. 

Charlestowu, 4, 9, 32, 36, 42, 45, 
81 ; district, 56. 

Christian Advocate and Jour- 
nal, 87. 

Cincinnati, 46, 48. 

Clark, George Rogers, 1. 

Clark's Grant, 1, 4, 5, 8. 

Connersville, 35, 36 ; district, 81. 

Constitutional convention, 30. 

Cooper, J. C, 71, 79. 

Corydon, 32, 36. 

Course of Study, 107, 108, 212, 
213, 249, 290, 291. 

Covington, 46. 

Cravens, William, 36. 

Crawfordsville, 45, 46, 57. 86. 
303; district, 74, 81. 

Grume, Moses, 6, 15, 18. 

Cull, Hugh, 8, 30. 

Daily, W. M., 68, 71, 261, 262. 
Danville, circuit, 68, 73, 74. 
Dearborn county, 6. 
Debates, 81, 82. 
Deep River mission, 80. 
Delaware, 38. 
Delphi, 46, 73. 
Detroit, 80. 

Division of the Indiana Confer- 
ence, 88, 276, 295, 306, 307. 
322, 323. 

Dress of preachers. 44. 75, 119. 
215. 



342 



INDEX 



Eddy, A., 75, 81, 88, 214, 222, 
316. 

Education, 41, 56, 58-66, 101-108, 
127, 132, 133, 134, 135, 148- 
150, 154, 164, 324. 

Edwardsville, 111., 44. 

Eel River, 36. 

Elizabethtown, 6. 

Elliott, Charles, 57. 85. 175. 

Elkhart, 68, 74. 

Enon circuit, 12. 

Evansville, 80, 82. 



Fall Creek circuit, 43, 45. 
Fayette county, 15. 
Fifth collection, 233. 
Findley. James B., 49, 85, 255. 
Flatrock, 36. 
Fletcher, Calvin, 63, 65. 
Fort Wayne. 45, 68, 73. 82 ; mis- 
sion, 56. 
Franklin county, 15. 
Franklin, 45; college, 60. 

General Conference (1816), 83, 
(1824) 42, 86, 217; delegates 
(1836) 57, (1840) 75, (1840) 
214-215, (1844 ) 88, 316. 

Germans, 81, 315. 

Goodwin, T. A., 66, 76, 77. 

Greencastle, 45, 63, 73, 81, 85. 

Greenfield, 42. 

Greenville circuit, 35. 

Greenville, treaty of, 1. 

Greensburg, 42. 

Griffith, Walter, 12. 

Hamilton, Ohio, 6. 
Hanover College, 60. 
Hargrave, Richard, 68, 88, 316. 
Harrison, William Henry, 9. 
Harrison county, 30. 
Havens, James, 39, 52, 56, 59, 

65, 69, 76, 81, 85, 86, 88, 163, 

169, 177, 316. 
Hibben, W. W., 79. 
Holliday, Charles, 16. 
Holliday, F. C, 73. 
Honey Creek, 36. 

Illinois, 9, 32, 40, 41, 42, 44. 
Illinois conference, 44, 47, 51. 

115, 129, 130. 
Independent 3 , 73, 80. 



Indiana, 3, 5, 7. 9, 12, 13, 15, 19, 
30, 31, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 45, 51. 

Indiana Asbury University, 52, 
58-66, 67, 71, 148-150, 154, 157- 
158, 173. 177, 178, 180-181, 188- 
190, 196, 207, 212, 213, 216, 
236, 237, 239. 242, 259, 266, 
292-293, 317 ; first trustees, 64. 

Indiana circuits, 8, 19, 27, 32, 
33, 35. 

Indiana conference, 52-56, 57, 
70, 71, 72, 73, 75-76, 80, 83, 85, 
86; minutes of first session, 
90-110; second session, 110- 
122; third, 122-138; fourth, 
138-153; fifth, 153-168; sixth, 
168-184 ; seventh, 184-203 ; 
eighth, 203-222; ninth, 222- 
243 ; tenth, 243-273 : eleventh, 
273-303; twelfth, 303-333. 

Indiana University, 60, 62, 66. 

Indiana, 34. 

Indian Wars, 1, 2. 

[ndianapolis, 32, 36, 45, 46, 63, 
65, 153, 222; district, 56, 81; 
female institute, 324, 327. 



Kalamazoo circuit, 74; mission, 
56. 

Kentucky, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 

17, 19, 20, 22, 31, 49, 71. 
Kentucky conference, 2. 
Kentucky State University, 60. 



Ladies Repository, 261, 294. 
Lafayette, 45, 57, 62, 63, 129, 

139. 
Lagrange, 74. 
La kin, Benjamin, 4, 5, 8. 
Langdon, Solomon, 16, 19. 
LaPorte, 80; mission, 56. 
Larrabee, W. C, 66, 67, 305. 
Lawreuceburg, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 

24, 35, 39, 46, 74, 81, 203. 
Lawrence county, S3. 
Lebanon, 80. 
Liquor, 69, 147. 

Logan sport, 46, 73, 81 ; mission, 
45. 

Louisville, 72. 



Maddox, James, 66. 
Madison circuit, 35; district, 56, 
79, 81. 



1 



r 



INDEX. 343 



Madison, Indiana, 15, 44, 45, 46, 
63, 104. 

Marriage of preachers, 53-55, 
258. 

Martinsville, 82. 

Massachusetts, 38. 

McKendree, William, 3, 4, 16, 

34, 42. 
Meeting houses, 25, 26. 
Membership, 48, 51, 57. 67, 71, 

73, 74, 75, 80, 85. 

Miami River, 3, 5, 7, 15, 19 ; dis- 
trict, 16, 22, 35; University. 
61. 

Michigan, 51, 79 ; conference, 81. 
Miller, John, 81, 88, 316. 
Missouri, 9, 32, 35, 38, 40, 42. 
Mitchell, Andrew, 4. 
Monticello, 73. 
Mooresville, 80. 

Morris, Bishop Thomas, 75, 85, 

206, 274. 
Mount Carmel, 111., 44. 
Mount Sterling, 36. 
Mount Vernon, 42. 

National Road, 43, 48. 

New Albany, 32, 46, 52, 71, 72, 

74, 82, 90, 106, 165, 169. 
New Albany Seminary, 164-197. 
Newcastle, 43. 

New Harmony, 40. 
New Jersey, 22. 
New York, 31, 38. 
Newton circuit, 80. 
Noblesville circuit, 68. 
North Carolina, 2, 17, 31. 
Northwestern Christian Advo- 
cate, 80. 
Nutt, Cyrus, 64, 66. 

Oglesby, Joseph, 6, 7, 144, 162, 

163-164. 
Ohio, 14, 15, 17, 19, 38. 
Ohio Conference, 2, 16, 24, 35. 

39, 41, 42. 
Ohio River, 31, 72. 
Oxford circuit, 15, 35. 

Paine, Sela, 7. 

Paoli, 42. 

Paris circuit, 68. 

Parker, Samuel, 4, 9, 16, 22. 

Patoka circuit, 13, 16, 24, 36, 41. 

Pennington, Dennis, 30. 



Pennsylvania, 31. 
Peru, 73. 

Pine Creek, 45, 74. 
Plainfield, 80. 

Population, 1, 2, 30, 31, 33, 47. 
Portland, 46. 

Preachers Aid Society, 56, 111, 
116, 129, 130, 147, 177, 186, 
193, 194, 231, 144, 147, 175, 
19S, 304, 312. 

Presbyterians, 2, 10, 60, 82, 83, 
86. 

Presiding Elders, 16, 17, 76, 81. 
Putnamville, 63. 

Quakers, 2, 45, 49. 

Railroads, 64. 
Ray, John, 71. 
Records, Church, 191, 192. 
Richmond, 5, 25, 45, 49 ; district, 
66. 

Rising Sun, 32, 74. 

Roberts, Bishop Robert R., 42, 
75, S3-85, 88, 89, 99, 112, 114, 
122, 138, 159, 203, 214, 217, 
235, 243, 256, 279, 286. 315, 
318, 319. 

Robertson's, 3, 9, 23. 

Rockport, 80. 

Rockville, 45, 63, 73, 177, 184, 
199. 

Rushville, 42, 74. 

Ruter, Calvin, 39, 41, 52, 65, 75, 

81, 84, 88, 110, 112, 154. 169, 

214, 223, 316. 

Salary, of preachers. 35; bis- 
hops, 83, 84. 
Salem, 42, 46. 

Sale, John, 6, 16, 17, 18, 19. 

Shakers, 10, 11, 19. 

Shanks, William, 56, 59, 71. 

Shelbyville, 42, 74. 

Silver Creek circuit, 5, 8, 9, 14, 

17, 24, 25. 
Simpson, Matthew, 52, 65, 67, 

77-78, 85, 88, 204, 259, 274, 

316. 

Slavery, 20, 36, 72, 86, 87, 209, 

324, 325. 
Smith, J. C, 71, 88, 145, 146, 

185, 316. 
Soule, Bishop Joshua, 42, 53, 57, 

71, 72, 75, 89, 90, 110, 171, 

184, 224. 



344 



INDEX. 



South Bend, 45, 81 ; mission, 56. 
South Carolina, 5, 31. 
Sparks, Elijah, 12. 
St. Joseph Mission, 56. 
State College, 59, 60. 
Statistics, Conference, 285, 321. 
Strange, John. 15, 35. 50, 53, 

106, 115. 
Swiss, 31. 

Talbott, Edward, 4. 
Talking ton, Joseph, 39, 40, 43, 
69, 74. 

Temperance, 70, 147, 197, 198, 
325. 

Tennessee, 2, 5, 7, 31; confer- 
ence, 2, 16, 25. 
Thanksgiving, 175, 293, 326. 
Terre Haute, 83. 243. 
Theological Seminaries, 62. 
Thompson, James L., 56, 59. 
Tippecanoe. 13. 
Tobacco, 69, 71, 320. 

Union county, 15. 
Universalists. 82. 

Vermillion, 42. 
Vevay, 31, 67. 

Vincennes, 1, 9, 10, 13, 14, 19. 

24, 36, 42, 43, 44 ; district, 56, 

81 ; University, 60. 
Virginin, 2. 15, 17, 31, 36. 71. 



Wabash circuit, 24. 
Wabash district, 16, 19. 
Wabash, upper mission, 56. 
Walker, Jesse, 16, 70. 
Ward, James. 16. 
War of 1812, 14. 
Warsaw mission, 73, 80. 
Watson's Institutes, 55. 
Watson, James V., 79. 
Wayne, General Anthony, 1, 2, 

5 ; circuit, 48, 49; county, 15 T 

30, 50. 

Wesley an university, 67. 
Western Christian Advocate, 57, 

60, 70, 72, 77, 113, 117, 131, 

261, 294. 
Weakley, J. W., 65. 
Western Conference, 2 (note), 

4, 5, 7, 9, 16. 
Wheeler. John, 66. 
White Lick, 45. 
White Pigeon, 79, 80. 
Whitewater, circuit, 6, 7, 12, 14, 

15, 18, 23, 35, 45 ; college, 66. 
Wiley, Allen, 8, 19, 35, 39, 43, 

52, 56, 5S, 65, 74, 75, 81, 84, 

153, 214, 316. 
Winans, William, 9. 
Winchester, 81. 

Wood, Aaron, 75, 80. 81, 88, 214, 
316. 

Wood, E. G., 73, 81. 



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